Sunday, September 9, 2007

OBL in Chitral

Read story at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/07/eveningnews/main3243560.shtml?source=search_story#ccmm

I am so against drawingroom journos who can't help themselves. Here is my original response which had to be curtailed to 1500 words:

My problem is with the basic facts of the story. Where did the "author" get the idea that Chitral is a rugged country with Tribals governing their land with an ancient code of hospitality etc.? Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The author of this report does not have any idea of the diversity of Pakistani population, their customs, or even the Pakistani terrain.
Chitralis are a different melieu from tribal Pukhtoons (of Waziristan, Tirah, even urban from Peshawarites) who have alledgely hosted Bin Laden at various times in the past; neither are they bound by the code of "Pukhtoonwali." Their history is different from the rest of Pakistan, and their chemistry, their habits, their customs, their approach to religion and issues of security have always been quite at variance with the more aggressive Pukhtoons.
Characterized usually as the most peaceful, fun-loving, romantic people of the North, they have faithfully followed the laws of the land, dating back to the colonial era. It is almost baffling that while other ethnicities, just beyond the Lowari Pass and Arandu engaged in the militant struggle against Soviets and Americans, as a perceived "Muslim cause," Chitralis have remained largely aloof and unimpressed by the "Jihad" next door. You could say the mullahs could not hoodwink them.
Ironically, they have hosted the Afghan refugees for three decades, and were frequent targets of heavy, relentless bombing of the Soviet Airforce (that I witnessed) during the 80's and early 90's. Yet they seem to have a clear understanding of the game that was played by the "super powers" and their boy-toys, the mujahedeen or Taliban. They always seemed to know who was pulling the strings.
The long and short of it is, Osama Bin Laden would think many times before he heads in that direction. While Chitralis may not jump over each other to host him or hand him to the CIA, they would dutifully present him to the Pakistani government, no matter who is in power.
Interestingly, if Benazir is "installed" as the next premier of the country, OBL will have to steer clear of "Kashkar" since the Kashkaris have forty years of loyalty to her late father, ZAB, a leader with a very modern, secular, pro-West approach to all issues.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Lifting Hurriya's celebration of me

Because I have been so busy lately with professional and personal commitments, my journal-keeping has also become erratic. However, I do make it a point to read whatever I read regularly---among them Hurriya's blog. This one was very special, so I thought I would steal it, and post it on mine to savor in later winters.

On my 50th milestone

Monday, August 20, 2007

Surprise!
We had a surprise birthday party for Lilly Baji over the weekend. It was her 50th so obviously a little special. All of us gathered at my house, Honey brought the yummy food from Edison and I brought the cake from Mother Mousse Bakery. We then went to Lilly Baji’s house, we knew she was home because Kiran ( her friend) made sure she stays there. When she opened the door she saw a bunch of people holding balloons and trays of food and yelling surprise. Believe me she was Surprised! She had no idea about it. From then on the party went on smoothly, we had food first then she cut the cake and then opened the presents. We all had a nice time there.Over the last couple of years Lilly Baji and I have developed a special relationship. And although we don’t see or talk to each other on regular basis but I respect her more and more everyday. It is always fascinating to talk to her because she has an amazing knowledge about the world. I am always interested to know her take on things.Moreover she has been there for me when I really needed someone to hold my hand. This is at the time when everything seems to go wrong, early last year (2006). Manzar was in hospital sick with Endocarditis, Fahad was in hospital becuase of Appendicitis and I was full term pregnant. Between all the crises Lilly Baji helped me make it through. I will never forget her kindness and compassion during that difficult time.Cheers for Lilly Baji!!Ps: Pictures to come soon
Posted by Huriya Manzar
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1 comments:
Lily Orakzai said...
Dearest Hurriya,
This time you made me cry! This account is a special birthday present। The memory of that night will have a special place in my heart! "Surprize" is an understatement: didn't you see माय

mouth falling to the floor (and through the floor, perhaps), In cricket terminology, I was bowled over or clean bowled!
I opened the door expecting to see Suhail there, maybe with a cake, because Kiran said he would join us for dinner। But what I saw was beyond belief, and I love surprizes!
I have no words for your sentiments about me; suffice it to say we are tied through ages and generations in mysterious ways, and you, indeed have a very special place in my heart, despite those ties and relationships! "Thankyou" sounds too small and too inadequate for all that! I know you know I love you all very much! God bless you always!
1:04 PM

Monday, July 16, 2007

A long dismal July!

One's heart bleed with the rest of Pakistan at the recent calamities in Islamabad and elsewhere; we are dumbfound by the turn of events and wonder how far will this madness go. An illigitimate government, and a self-appointed gang of terrorists has mocked the name of our religion and has brought unprecedented shame on this country!
Between these two evils are the lost daughters and sons of mostly poverty stricken Pakistanis and Afghanis who, in their naievetie, had probably only dreamt of a path to eternal salvation via the ironically-named Red Mosque! The average Pakistani/Muslim is sick of politics in the name of religion and in the name of saving Pakistan. Those lost children were but the unfortuate pawns in this dirty game
I reminisce of the peaceful past...when people practiced their own religious beliefs without being too worried about their neighbors' beliefs. All one's effort was on savig one's own soul and bringing up one's own children the right way with the right values; not many took it upon themselves to save the souls of others perforce. And now---thanks to the Afghan debacle--- we have woven such a web of absolute destruction for ourselves, the Phonix will not rise from its ashes in our own lifetimes.
I can't be an optimist anymore, no matter how much I try!
To think, only a couple of years ago, at the turn of the century, while welcoming the new century, the new year, I had told Shilpa, "Wars shall be an obsolete concept soon. This will be a century of world peace."
How ignorant I was!
I had hoped armies and weapons will become redundant because we are living in a true age of global enlightenment. I did not remember the truth learnt from "Lord of the Flies." The beast does not sleep far from the veneer of civilized humanity; the savage always lurks in the dark shadows surrounding a flimsy light. East or West, the savage, the beast, only waits for the opportunity to force its way out again, and destroy the fabric of our beings and then our societies.
These are such depressing days...I am staying home to mourn the loss of innocence.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

One former student writes back

There are so many around me who are always whining and bad-mouthing their jobs. Then there are those who do bare minimum to stay on the surface. I think of the hundreds and thousands who would give the shirts off their backs to find any job.
Thank God for my job! It is a blessing! It is an honor!
Even though many of my friends believe I deserve better, I think this job has enabled me to achieve so much and to learn so much. Of all things, I have made friends who are invaluable and I have taught some who I am truly proud of. One of them wrote back yesterday and her grateful comments made my day. I immediately wrote to Mrs. Haleem, my English teacher back in Frontier College for Women, Peshawar, who now lives in Texas. Over the years, we have stayed in touch, talking to each other at least once a month, sharing our concerns, our joys and our heartaches.
The trickle effect continues----her affection for me, and mine for my students!
One doesn't get poorer for helping where help is needed.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Memories of the Summers Past

What a lovely day!
It was supposed to be 82 degrees today, but the sky remained overcast with cool, nice breeze, and sort of moody showers that gave way to a clear, blue sky. I think of the hot, sizzling days in Peshawar, and the load-shedding that goes on forever. Ironically, I can't truly enjoy the gift of the weather we have in NYC.
Our vacation plans have not been finalized. Everything seems to be booked for months in advance, and we were thinking we will get lucky, and will re-live our trip to Chitral back in 1992. Some other time, maybe!