PTI's Azadi March. Some numbers and stats

While we are all tense and worried about the outcome of PTI's Azaadi march - it makes sense to look at some quick numbers. The source for this is Google Trends - a free research tool which can be used to gauge how different countries are searching for what kind of information and news amongst other things.

The Internet might not be Pakistans biggest medium but there are an estimated 30 million internet users which is a pretty significant number and growing rapidly. With quick adoption of mobile internet and smartphones this reach has effectively increased even further.Half of the reported 30 million access the internet from their mobile.
(Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/567649/30m-internet-users-in-pakistan-half-on-mobile-report/)

Coming back to the analysis:

That is reality for you, albeit from the more urbanized and educated as well as younger proportion of Pakistan.

Imran Khan leads search trends - there are people searching for his, his stories, his speeches, his videos, the Azaadi March which is currently going on. As a patriotic Pakistani he has most of the educated and aware portion of this country following his every move.

So there is hope after all - hope that online citizens are able to separate the good from the bad, the real from the unreal, and the Pakistani from the Punjabi/Mohajir ethnic shit. This is the reason why people are turning to Imran Khan - for hope and for the simple fact that this man loves his country beyond measure.

Nawaz Sharif being the Prime Minister but a man who has continuously disgraced himself over time gets attention too but not like the ex-captain of Pakistan.

I understand that Google Trends does not point a way forward for the future of a nation but it does indicate what a large bunch of people are thinking. That thinking is correct and thank God for that.

Nothing Changes in #Pakistan

After 2 years of not writing anything and being absorbed in my own life and what it throws up at me I decided to start all over again. Sometimes frustration becomes the biggest reason to write. And sometimes its enough to get your mind focused and back into the thick of action. Happy reading over the next few months if not years. 

When Politicians Attack....

Saw or rather bumped into the great politician, diplomat and and political journalist Miss Sherry Rehman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherry_Rehman) at a book store in Islamabad - Saeed Book Bank.

Of course I recognized her and not the other way around as I dont come from a family of generals, landowners, politicians, gangsters, smugglers or the land mafia. But of course the rich and famous in Pakistan have their own claim to fame - from Presidents and Prime Ministers who have made gazillions at the expense of the public exchequer and their politician goons who ensure that the loot stays in their hands.

Back to the story - was the bookstore with my wife and kids when we saw this grand lady sauntering about as if she owned the place. Such attitude and such pride - only the stuff that the rulers show to the downtrodden ruled. Well I was definitely feeling ruled that day.

The "sherry-woman" then went on to place her books on the sales counter with such force and made a face/half-sneer indicating that she wasnt too happy with all the other books on display there and also exhibiting contempt for the people in the line there. She then walked off again as 2 burly bodyguards - more loyal than dogs themselves watched everyone with complete suspicion as if she was Public Enemy No. 1 - we wish...

As we walked out in disgust and realizing that all is definitely not well we were greeted to some 3-4 cars outside with a further 8-10 security men strategically placed to prevent a grand ambush on the Great-Sherry Rehman - the leader of a leaderless people perhaps. Two 4WD vehicles and 2 other cars - bodyguards in the shop, armed men in close formation outside - all for a woman who came to a book-shop @ the public and taxpayers expense to buy a book guide on Turkey.

These are the leaders of a country where justice is all-evasive and the common man languishes in a sea of misery - created thanks to the crooked institutions that surround him - the gun toting army, the waistcoat coated politician and the all-powerful landlord.

All is definitely not well in the not so Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

May Allah SWT Guide us and protect us from all harm.

Amen/Ameen.

The Honorable Minister of Power

With an honorable minister like the one above handling the water and power portfolio - no wonder all is wrong in the very unislamic Republic of Pakistan.

As the people of Pakistan flounder in darkness and the winter chill the honorable ministers and parlimentarians thrive on the countrys lifeline - its taxes, foreign aid and their scams to make more money.

Sadly there are few inhibitions or controls which stop people like these from doing what they do best - cheat, defraud and lie.

On 7th February the very unhonorable Minister announced that loadshedding would come to an end and that all variables were under control from line losses to capacity issues. Come 2 weeks later and the situation has gone from bad to worse.

Unfortunately we are now living in the Dark Ages both in reality and metaphorically. While I am not one to announce or accept that our deeds reflect on our countenance in the case of the Minister above I would beg to disagree. His actions do seem to show up on the lovely contours of his face. #Unfortunately.

Pakistani politics and 2012

Frustrating start to the new year as the political scene goes from bad to worse.....

A nation of bungling idiots and even worse politicians.....

Ugly Leaders of Pakistan

We as a country are fortunate to have been blessed with leaders of the worst kind since Independence. And of course when we talk about the recent crop of leaders who have been loaded onto us - some of the worst kind, people who have used and abused the system and created their millions and billions through their official positions and patronage of crooks.
What got me to write this post was a picture of Nawaz Sharif above, a picture that could make a kid cry, give you nightmares for days on end. In Urdu we have a word called  "manhoos" - which aptly describes the man in the picture above.

A brief history of a "Manhoos" politician of Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif and his family held the Ittefaq Group which produced Iron and Steel products, lost control in 1972 under the ZAB regime and regained control with the end of Zulfiqar Bhuttos reign. He prospered incessantly under the Zia ul Haqs regime, which saw loads of growth thanks to American aid used for fighting a proxy war in Afghanistan and at the same time funnelled into Pakistan.

This man proudly proclaims that he has done so much for the people of Punjab, so thats right down there for you - we have had a Punjabi Prime Minister holding office twice. Under his patronage the Supreme Court of Pakistan was attacked by his party's goons.

A public leader who has piled on and added to his personal wealth using his seat of power and his position. #Perfect indeed but perhaps this is what happens in the not so Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

So there we go a "manhoos" leader for you! Bless Pakistan!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Apologies for the long break, will be back soon with some more random ramblings.....

Adios,

Zeeshan