The American fundos who like to play guns and bullets

In the land of the pure, many strange and eventful happenings transpire. One such tragic and truly heart rending tale occurred yesterday when an American diplomat called Raymond Davis shot at and killed two young men – Faizan and Faheem at a traffic signal on Qartaba Chowk in Lahore. While the killer tried to flee from the shooting scene, his companions following him in a Land Cruiser entered the wrong side of the road and hit a motorcyclist killing him on the spot and injured another pedestrian seriously.

By a miracle the American killer was apprehended by the police and just as I was about to revel in the fact that justice might indeed be served, out came the news that he had been shifted to an undisclosed location. That undisclosed location is most probably his home in the United States and consequently once again the abhorred level of police professionalism came to the fore.

The police confirmed that none of the three murdered people had any criminal records. So maybe Mr Davis was playing Medal of Honour 2010 at his office and decided to recreate some scene from the game in the physical reality then? I don’t know. What I do know is that three Pakistanis were murdered at the hands of some bloody diplomats who’re no better than stinking sewer rats. But that would be an insult to the stinking sewer rats because they at least have the courtesy to not murder the other clans’ rats for no apparent reason.

I don’t know why Mr Davis murdered the two people that he did. He says they tried to rob him at gunpoint. But how does he explain the fact that all the bullets pierced through the murdered gents’ backsides? And what of that innocent motorcyclist who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Will the US government announce compensation for the victims’ families? Will they say sorry? Will they feel some shame? I doubt it. After all, when do masters despair at the loss or ill treatment of their servants?

I don’t know much official jargon but the little titbits that I do know tell me that diplomats are immune from any kind of prosecution unless it is revoked by the foreign country. But as this is America we’re talking about, I doubt they would be willing to waive diplomatic immunity for ‘one of their own in the land of chaos’.

Some people (the confused modern rightist elements) have declared Raymond Davis as a spy. I don’t know what their sources are but they hardly ever have any sources to back up their claims with. No doubt they would now tell us that the murdered people were going to change the destiny of the Ummah. I disagree with them. One, an American murdered two Pakistanis for no apparent reason. He should be hanged twice for each of the murders by the Pakistani government although I have no real hopes for that because let's face it, this government is a toe sucking, gut lacking, whiskey swivelling lackey of the its imperialistic masters who sit behind mahogany desks in the city called Washington DC. The government of Pakistan should grow some balls and should ask for an official apology and regret statement, and must also ask the American administration to announce compensation for the victims. The innocent motorcyclist who was killed by the raving lunatic driving the Land Cruiser should be willingly handed over to the Pakistani authorities and the diplomatic immunity of both Raymond Davis and his accomplice should be revoked immediately. And then I would like to see them incarcerated in prison to either serve life sentences, or be hung to death. Either way, both of those American madmen need to be given a taste of the Pakistani prison systems.

And two, only the collective Muslim Ummah can change its destiny. Not some peer, fakir or murshid. Until the Americans are blamed for every ill plaguing this nation, we will continue to stumble around in the dark. We all have the right to vote. Let’s go out and make that count. And if you can’t do that, then you might as well shut up and mourn the loss of three Pakistani lives in silence.

Altaf Hussain’s OCD

The man who runs Karachi from London. (Photo:
Tribune.com.pk)

Altaf Hussain seems to have lost his marbles. His inane demands have left many normal, rational and sane people scratching their heads. Of course people other than the MQM workers hardly take him seriously (except when they’ve got MQM licensed guns to their heads) but that hasn’t quite been a stumbling block for him. He has stated in his arrogant, brash and frankly comical manner that he will save the country; that he will save the people; that he will change the destiny of Pakistan. Just one question though, when will he save him from himself?

It all started long ago when Altaf Hussain fled Pakistan and became a citizen of the United Kingdom (bless that country for being a mini, posh, upscale version of Pakistan). Since then, he hasn’t dared to show his face in Pakistani public again and the best we get to see of him – no wait. We only get to hear him over the telephone’s loud speaker – is when he decides that the people of Pakistan (MQM members) are starting to forget him. So he puts on his nutjob accent and addresses the people as if they give a rat’s ass about his views.

Of late Altaf Hussain seems to have developed an OCD (obsessive, compulsive disorder) condition that forces him to visualise himself being assassinated at the hands of the CIA or the ISI. Well God help us all. Then apparently, to please the masters that be in Pakistan, he claims that martial law is the only way out of the quagmire that we find ourselves in. Well lucky for him he’s not a Pakistani citizen, otherwise some overzealous lawyer would have filed a high treason case against him. Come to think of it though, I doubt that would have happened given MQM’s legendary intolerance for everything to do with its British leader.

Not only is Altaf Hussain’s demand for martial law insane, it is also oblivious of ground realities. I doubt the people of Pakistan will allow another dictator to steer the ocean liner called Pakistan. The most concession that they will allow is a midterm election, and frankly the MQM’s chances of winning any seats out of Karachi and Hyderabad look slim. Of course that hasn’t stopped the MQM godfather from procrastinating and berating the current PPP government. Ironically, he and his stooges are allies of the battered and bruised PPP government. Surprising really.

MQM appeared to be a progressive party which was genuinely interested in representing the masses’ views when Musharraf was in power and it had a free reign of Karachi. The transformation of Karachi in itself was a remarkable achievement. But ever since Altaf Hussain got that OCD condition, he has started to live more in a fantasy rather than taking decisions based on the prevalent realities. His call for revolution was, well, unorthodox given the circumstances. But what really made the call for revolution sound ludicrous was his appeal to the army and the judiciary to help Pakistan and its people by hijacking the country. Apparently, the Pakistani constitution means little more than pieces of paper sewn together.

The change that Altaf Hussain desires for the Pakistani nation should come from the people of Pakistan, not from the army or the judiciary which are in fact subservient to the people of Pakistan. Altaf Hussain should realize that the biggest asset in Pakistan is the Pakistani nation, not the army which he implores to take over the government or the judiciary which he wants to support the extra constitutional steps taken by the army. Maybe then the ‘revolution’ he keeps chugging on about will actually materialise. 

Hypocrisy much?

I just had a great idea. I should rename my blog as The True Hypocrites. Hypocrisy as has been the case since forever now is the national trait of Pakistanis. In fact, the hypocritical conundrum that we find ourselves is so complex, it has become a part of the Pakistani culture. Disagree with me, anyone?

This time it is Veena Malik. Last time it was Meera. Before we get to Veena Malik, let’s refresh our memories as to why Meera so suddenly shot to fame in 2005.

Meera went to India, and did a B grade movie called something or other (I don’t know, don’t remember, and don’t care to Google it) in which she kissed a Hindu man. Open gaping mouth? Eyebrows arched as if you’re trying to send them to the sky? Heart thumping so fast as if you’ve just run a marathon? Anger and rage bubbling in the pit of your stomach? How dare a Muslim woman kiss a Hindu man you ask? How dare she kiss him on TV? Well to that I say, with her ugly freaking mouth. But that’s not the part I’m interested in. Meera’s case study presents us with certain parameters which will come in handy when we dissect Veena Malik’s case. So let’s look at some of these fascinating points then?

Meera was disloyal to Islam. Obviously she disagrees but we don’t really care, and it doesn’t really matter because no one has ever taken her seriously. She broke all bounds and norms of decency, particularly those which have been set for Muslim women. So yes, she pissed off all Muslims including yours truly. She did what she did. She was abused, fun was poked at her, and well the world moved on. No one questioned her Pakistaniyat; well I don’t remember anyone doing that anyway.

Which brings us to Veena Malik. She too went to India and flirted and did other dirty, skanky stuff with an Indian Hindu man. Very bad you say. She brought dishonour and disrespect to herself, her parents and generally all those women who claim to have a bit of self respect (views from an op-ed on Tribune.com written by some girl). She brought a bad name to Islam. She wore slutty clothes and then came on national TV and cried whilst proclaiming she offered her prayers. No Muslim can deny that. And none have so far. The way she handled the Mufti sahib on TV was a treat to watch none the less. Veena Malik really knows how to hold her own. But getting back to the topic, she wasn’t ashamed of her antics as a Muslim, she wasn’t sorry and for all intents and purposes she will do the same thing again.

As a Muslim I disagree with her. What she did was wrong. And that’s the simple truth about it. But here’s the part where the hypocrites of Pakistan lost me. How did she bring dishonour to Pakistan? Does the declaration that she brought shame on Pakistan define how Pakistanis are supposed to behave? Who anointed these self eulogising dimwits the caretakers of morality in Pakistan? And who decides what a Pakistani is or isn’t? For all intents and purposes, Veena Malik did a great service to her country. She showed the world exactly what it wanted to see: That Pakistani women are more than just burqas and shawls and captivity.

Those people who have gotten on Veena Malik’s case because she shamed Pakistan and Pakistanis are the biggest hypocrites of this country. They all watch Indian soap operas, and Indian movies. They all go dreamy eyed when they see Katrina Kaif shaking to the tune of ‘Sheila ki Jawani’. These are the same people who watch porn day in and day out. These shameless hypocrites who act as if they are the upholders of morality are the same people who rape women for pleasure and fun. Where does their morality go then? For a walk amongst the trees of Changa Manga? Or are they after Veena Malik because they couldn’t digest the fact that a Pakistani woman could do what the Pakistani men are notoriously famous for and that too on Indian television?

I disagree with Veena Malik because my religion does not allow the behaviour exhibited by Veena Malik. But as a Pakistani, I have nothing to say to Veena Malik. She did what she thought was right. That does not mean she ruined Pakistan’s image. She would’ve ruined the image if she had murdered someone in front of a camera, or blown herself, or threatened to kill someone because the other person disagreed with her. No one can tell what being a Pakistani is. This is the same country that mourns the loss of Black Label Whiskey when it goes short, and this is the same country where men and women get together and do stuff that you only see in R rated movies. So really, the hypocrites need to put their own houses in order before you know, calling Veena Malik ‘beghairat’.

FakiLeaks - Cable 2

Cable No: 07IP802

Subject: So help me God

Classified by: Patterson, A

1. In a dramatic development, it has been brought to my notice that the Muslims of Lalaland are being cheated by the “Qasais” of Lalaland. The “Qasais” are slaughtering dogs and passing them off as chicken meat, beef and mutton. In another development, we have found a Mufti who is willing to declare pork halal. We can then import the mad-pig disease into Pakistan and control the minds of the Pakistani population.

2. The Prime Minister of Lalaland has lost his marbles (he said balls). He is running scared around the courtyard of the PM Secretariat because he fears for his chair. He has been licking it nonstop ever since the fear of God Nawaz Sharif threatened to topple his chair (government). The PM fears that if his chair is toppled, he will land on his bottom which hurts every time he goes to the who*r*h*****. The term has been classified for reasons mentioned in Para 17 Clause W) in the dossier marked “Top Secret”. Also because our embassy employees love the chicks in the who*r*h***** frequented by the PM.

3. In an astonishingly genius move which seems was orchestrated by IFO Neptune of the Pentagon, the PM has endorsed that Rehman Malik be the new front man for the government. His lack of command on anything Islamic will ensure that the liberals back the PPP in the next general elections. In the cable from Rio de Janiero No. 03RJB*** it has been defined that IFO Neptune was brought in to lead the charge on the specific request of the PM as he was too scared to go talk to his COAS, as it would’ve meant leaving his chair unguarded. So he made the phone call to Washington DC as the phone was right there on his desk. That is probably one of the reasons why the Pakistani politicians are so fat. And bald. They never do any exercise. Their hotness to power ratio is absolutely zero, but what has bamboozled all the scientists at the NSA and NASA is that why are some (hot) women still attracted to these donkey faced idiots.

4. On a side note, the President of Lalaland hit on me. He is very flirtatious, and actually very good at it. Sarah Palin is a lucky gal, if you know what I mean. *Wink* (THE USE OF SMILEYS WAS ABANDONED VIA WORLDWIDE NOTIFICATION NO. CEF/87W/JH90004 AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE EMOTICON’S EMOTION IN BETWEEN STARS. THIS TREND HAS ALSO BECOME THE NEW ONLINE FAD.) The President agreed that he needs to keep his attraction for me under wraps as people would assume that he is “Tharki”. Indeed, it has been proven on many occasions that he is indeed a big “Tharki”. Tharki does not mean turkey. It is a local euphemism for flirt considered very derogatory.

5. OBL called. He said his beard’s on fire. I told him to put it out. He asked me how. I told him to use water. He grabbed his martini glass and threw it on the fiery beard. The result is that OBL’s face now needs a transplant. He is a dumb idiot. I had advised against appointing him as Terrorist No. 1 from the first day. Now look what he’s done. He was so angry he burnt down his entire stock of booze for the year 2008. We need Chinooks to airlift a new stock and deliver to him because he’s calling me up and crying like a baby who hasn’t been given milk.

That’s all for today. I am going for a siesta now.

Peace out bitches!
Patterson, A

They’re all liars and cheats

Leave us be, you corrupt sages of darkness. (Photo:
Sagennext.com)

All of them. You see I believed in giving this incompetent and utterly horrible government a chance. I stuck to the decision of supporting these abhorrent villains for three years. Three years in which they tested my patience again and again and again. They looted the national exchequer, brought the national economy to a standstill, had the gall to say ‘let us do corruption’, proved their sheer bamboozling atrocities by openly welcoming known and declared forgers, scam and con artists back into the folds of the now disgraced national assembly after they were disqualified, making a mockery of the helpless citizens’ lives by declaring ‘they should eat less’, letting corrupt and dishonest fraudsters go scot free, ensuring that the expression ‘freedom of speech’ only applies to right wing extremists, bending over backwards to accommodate cheats and hypocrites like the mullahs from the JUI, giving us the in your face signal and openly showing their hypocritical attitude by accepting the demands of other corrupt parties like the PML-N and the MQM only because they wanted to save their seats.

There is a limit to everything. There is a limit to the stress one can take. After that there is an explosion, like the one you’ve just witnessed. Do I still want to support this government? No I do not. I don’t want a government at all. This country would run better without a government. Why do we have governments around the world? So that they can protect the people, ensure that the standard of living of the people improves, ensures that the sovereignty of the state is secured, and so that people can snuggle up cosily in their beds at night knowing that when they wake up, they will still have a roof over their heads that belongs to them. We also have governments so that education can be given to those willing to seek it, health facilities can be given to the poor and needy for free, the unprotected citizens of the state can be given protection and those flaunting the rules can be handed stringent punishments to remind them that they are equal in the truest sense of the word, to those whom they have been running over and pissing upon. Utopian sentiments I know, but at least that’s the vision. Maybe if the government had this vision it would’ve have gotten somewhere.

But no. This is the government which claims it has the credentials of the liberal left attached to it. I disagree, but maybe it assumed that by showing Rehman Malik on TV as the guy who can’t even say Bismillah properly, let alone recite Surah Ikhlas, it would retain the liberal minded people’s support. Well guess what? That was an epic fail. The poignant discourtesy that the collective bunch of loafers also known as the PPP does to us is that they fail to notice we’re not stupid. The PPP just lost a Governor of a province to a trigger happy extremist who has been patronised beyond measure and what did it do? Silence, only broken by agreeing to the extremists’ agenda. The liberals? No wait. What do you think a liberal even is? One who drinks? Party’s? Hangs out with women? Doesn’t pray? Thinks religion is outdated, and by association unnecessary? Wrong. That’s what you call an atheist or an agnostic because he has refused to believe in the validity of God. I am a liberal but I believe in God, and I believe in the Quran and I believe in Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). What I don’t believe in is the illogical, violence inciting, people killing, murderous brand of Islam that the mullahs seem to want to foist upon us. No sirs and madams, I will not be beaten into submission by these madmen that this pathetic government has let win, nor will I let their blackmail and terror silence my voice.

So what do I want then? I don’t know. I don’t want the Zardaris, the Gilanis, the Sharifs, the Khosas, the Awans, the Fauzia Wahabs and all those insolent, bottom wiping, hypocritical bigots that rule over us worse than the 12^th century Kings of the European Dark Ages. I want out. I don’t know how, and I don’t feel in the mood to really think about it right now. Maybe I’ll come up with a solution and let you know. Till then let’s all make a pact to pray to God to have mercy on us. Amen.

Where do we go from here?

Pakistan as we all know has in recent days seen a wave of intolerance engulf it. This wave which some say culminated in the death of Salman Taseer started when the late Governor stated that he believed that Aasia Bibi, the Christian woman condemned to death, was innocent and not guilty, and that the case presented against her had been fabricated on flimsy grounds. Whether it was or wasn’t, is another story altogether, but for the purpose of this post it was necessary to mention Aasia Bibi’s sordid story.

Aasia Bibi is a Christian. The Pakistani population comprises overwhelmingly of Muslims. These Muslims comprise almost 95 – 98% of the population. Figures vary but almost everyone agrees that the number lies somewhere in the middle. So we’ve established thus far that Pakistan is a country of the Muslims, by the Muslims and for the Muslims. How then is it possible that the Muslims of this country feel threatened by a minority? How is it possible that their “Emaan” is threatened by a mother of five kids? I know people will say the honour of the Holy Prophet (SAW) reigns supreme over all other matters. Well no one is denying that. But consider the following: Every sane man, woman and even child in this country knows that saying anything blasphemous could result in immediate death. How then is it possible that people (barring insane people) would utter anything blasphemous?

And once again, why was Salman Taseer gunned down? I do not believe he had said anything blasphemous. Or is everyone celebrating because he was a corrupt man who deserved to die? I still haven’t forgotten the Christian family which was murdered under the charge of blasphemy because its 11 year old son went to buy groceries from a “Muslim’s” shop; and neither have I forgotten the desecration meted out to Prem Chand’s coffin. The only trouble I have is I refuse to believe the hardliners when they suggest that Islam condones murder and wilful decimation and desecration of human life.

The harsh reality that we’ve come to see is that Pakistan does not have a silent majority of peace loving citizens. Apparently the silent majority is quite content at the murder of the Governor of Punjab. So what’s left then? A silent minority which will continue to suffer in silence because it does not have the resources, the will power, or the lack of morals which will allow it to meet fire with fire. More importantly though, the question that needs to be answered is where do we go from here?

As crazy as this may sound, I believe sticking to the current democratic government is our best bet. Hoping that this government can stick out its mandated 5 years in the Parliament will give this country a shot in the arm. You see despite its utter competence and shortcomings, we at least have a political government. One which feels the heat when pressure is applied, and cowers at the thought that it might be left alone in the centre, and therefore out of power. The recent drama by MQM is a case in point. The reality is that even though Salman Taseer’s death symbolises the death of many things, including freedom of speech, freedom of expression, the safeguards assured to the minorities, the incumbent government’s tenure’s completion will ensure that in 2013 the people of Pakistan are better informed and better decided to make the decision that will alter the course of their destinies. Mid way Parliamentary change will only help in reinforcing the view that only the army and its lackeys can run this government.

Democracy is indeed our best bet. The Facebook status of a friend is an apt description of our dilemma today: 

“Sometimes you’re not at a crossroad. Instead, you’re standing on top of a cliff right at the edge overlooking a never ending abyss of darkness.”

Lost sanity (Urdu blog post)

سلمان تاثیر، قائم علی شاہ اور ماروی میمن کے ساتھ.

سلمان تاثیر کے انہونی قتل کے بعد پیدا ہونے والی صورت حال نے ہر پاکستانی کو اپنی گرفت میں گھیر لیا ہے. یہ کہنا غلط نہ ہوگا کے سلمان تاثیر کے قتل نے اس ملک اور اس میں بسنے والے شہریوں کو ایک عجیب کیفیت میں ڈال دیا ہے. کہیں پر تو لوگ گوورنر پنجاب کی موت پر خوشیاں بانٹ رہے ہیں اور بھنگڑے ڈال رہے ہیں، تو کہیں پر لوگ افسوس اور غمو رنج کا اظہار کر رہے ہیں. ایسی صورت حال میں یہ کہنا مناسب ہوگا کہ سلمان تاثیر کی موت نے پاکستانی قوم کی جنونیت پر سے پردہ اٹھا دیا ہے. کیا یہی چہرہ ہم دنیا کو دکھانا چاہتے تھے؟ کے ہمارے اندر  کسی کے لیے صبر نہیں ہے؟ کے ہم کسی کی بات کو برداشت نہیں کر سکتے؟ آخر سلمان تاثیر کا ایسا کیا گناہ تھا، جو ممتاز قادری نے یہ سوچ لیا کے صرف بندوق سے چلنے والی گولی ہی اس جرم کی سزا لے سکتی ہے؟

اگر آج کا اخبار کھول کر پڑھا جائے، تو آپکو معلوم ہوگا کے ووہی وکیل جو ہر روز سڑکوں پر سراپا احتجاج نظر آتے تھے کیوں کے وہ آئین اور قانون کی بالا دستی چاہتے تھے، آج ممتاز قادری کے جرم کو مٹانے میں لگے ہوے ہیں؛ یہ ووہی وکلا ہیں جو افتخار محمّد چودھری کو انکی کرسی واپس دلانے میں سارا سارا دن سڑکوں پر اپنی برہمی کا اظہر کرتے تھے. تو پھر پوچھنے کی بات تو یہ کے ان کے اصولوں کا کیا بنا جن کا یہ حوالہ دیتے تھے؟ یہ کیسے وکیل ہیں جو مقتول (یا شہید) کے بجائے، قاتل کے ساتھ جا کر کھڑے ہو گئے؟ کچھ دن پہلے جب میں بی بی سی وورلڈ سروس کے ایک پروگرام میں بطور مہمان شریک ہوا تو مجھے یہ اندازہ نہیں تھا کے کس قدر نفرت اور بربادی ہمارے معاشرے میں پھیل چکی ہے. مجھے یہ بھی اندازہ نہیں تھا کے بہت سے ایسے افراد جن کو ہم پڑھا لکھا اور عقلمند سمجھتے ہیں، اصل میں لا علمی اور منافقت کا پتلا ہیں. 

بےشرمی کی تو یہ انتہا ہے کے کھلم کھلا یہ لوگ کسی کی موت پر جشن اور خوشیاں منا رہے ہیں. مجھے یقین ہے کے ایسے ہی بہت سے لوگ یہ بھی کہیں گے کہ یہ انکا ذاتی منظر ہے اور وہ جشن اور خوشی منانے کا پورا حق رکھتے ہیں. لیکن وہ یہ بھول جاتے ہیں کہ یہی منظر جب باہر دنیا دیکھتی ہے، اور جب خاص طور پر جب اسکو یہ پتا چلتا ہے کے یہ پاکستانی قوم ایک ایسے شخص کی موت پر خوشی منا رہی ہے جس نے کوئی غلط بات نہیں کی تو وہ ایک پریشانی اور حیران کن سی کیفیت میں چلی جاتی ہے کے یہ کیسے لوگ ہیں جو کسی کی موت کو موت ہے نہیں سمجھتے؟

اگر ہم سلمان تاثیر کے دئیے گئے بیانات کا مطالعہ کریں تو ہمیں یہ معلوم ہوگا کے جناب نے صرف یہ کہنے کی غلطی کر دی کے آسیہ بیبی بیگناہ ہے، اور اسے جینے کا حق ہے. ایک بےزبان، لاچار، اور کمزور کے لئے آواز اٹھانا دراصل وہ گھنونا جرم تھا جس نے ہماری مذہبی جماعتوں کی صفوں میں آگ لگا دی. وہ کہنے لگے تاثیر صاحب کو اپنے کام سے کام رکھنا چاہئے؛ انکو ناموس رسالت قانون کے بارے میں کوئی بیان نہیں دینا چاہیے؛ انکو ایک لاچار اور بےبس عورت کے حق میں آواز نہیں اٹھانی چاہیے. ایک انسانی قانون، جس کا ١٩٨٦ سے پہلے پاکستان کے آئین میں کوئی ذکر نہیں ہے، اس میں اصلاحاتی ترامیم کرنے پر زور دینا کیوں کے یہ قانون مظلوم اور بےقصور لوگوں کے خلاف استعمال کیا جاتا ہے، سلمان تاثیر کی سب سے بڑی غلطی تھی. لوگ کہتے ہیں کے جناب کو ایسی بات ہی نہیں کرنی چاہیے تھی جس کے بارے میں انکو کوئی علم نہیں تھا، اور کئی مبصرین-و-مفکرین اسی بات کو اپنی دلیل کا اہم نقطہ بنا کر پیش کرتے ہیں، اور یہ تصور پیدا کرنے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں کے سلمان تاثیر کی موت دراصل انکی ان بیوقوفانہ باتوں کا نتیجہ ہے. 

یوں محسوس ہوتا ہے جیسے پاکستان میں دماغ کو استعمال کرنے والوں کی تعداد منفی نمبروں میں چلی گئی ہے. سلمان تاثیر کا قاتل اس ملک میں ایک ہیرو بن گیا ہے. ایک قاتل کے دفاع کے لئے وکیلوں کی بھرمار لگی ہوئی ہے. بےشرمی کے سارے پیمانے لبریز ہو کر رہ گئے ہیں. وہ میڈیا جس کو ہم آزاد اور غیر جانبدارانہ تصور کرتے ہیں، ڈھکے چھپے الفاظ میں ممتاز حسین قادری کے گھنونے فعل کی حمایت میں مصروف ہے. سلمان تاثیر کے قاتل سے کیا بدلہ لیں گے، وزیر آزم نے تو پہلے ہی سے یہ فرما دیا ہے کے ناموس رسالت قانون کو زیر بحث نہیں لایا جائے گا.

ضرورت اس بات کی ہے ایک کھلا اور سنجیدہ مناظرہ کیا جائے تاکے وہ قوتیں جو پاکستان میں فرقوارانہ انتہا پسندی اور شدت پسندی کو جنم دیتی ہیں، انھیں منظر عام پر لا کر بے نقاب کیا جا سکے اور ہمدردی، امن اور بھائی چارے کی فضا کو قائم کیا جا سکے. اختلاف رائے کے حق کو تسلیم کیا جائے اور جیو اور جینے دو کے عقیدے پر چلا جا سکے. پاکستان میں لاثانی اور فرقاواریت کی طاقتوں کو شکست دی جا سکے. ایک لا علمی کے پردے کے پیچھے چھپ جانے سے ہمارے مسائل ختم نہیں ہوں گے. 

People of Pakistan... You've shocked me.

Salman Taseer

Salman Taseer, RIP. I now realize this country truly did not deserve you. At the cost of sounding like a "liberal", I will have to agree with you. You were right when you said the blasphemy laws are abused, and you were right when you said they deserved to be amended. But you know what? You forgot you're that rich party boy every Pakistani loves to bash and have a go at. They're all hypocrites. You know what you were though? A non hypocrite. You know why I'm writing such a favorable post about you? Because I've just come back from a BBC show where I had been called to participate as a guest and where the anchor, his English guests, and all those people around the globe who were listening in and sending emails were completely baffled, and I guess quite alarmed by the way we, the Pakistanis, presented your death.

The Editor of Pakistan Observer said he personally liked that you were killed. He said he had to answer God about his religiosity, and you sir were standing in the middle of it. A guy from Multan called in saying that he and his friends rejoiced at the news of your death, because you were immoral and had a loose character. People emailed in and said your stupidity got you killed. But you know what I find disgusting? You weren't accused of blasphemy, nor did you commit it yet you were murdered for merely suggesting that the abuse that these laws are used for be checked. Sad reflection on our society.

I know today that the world has no problem with Pakistan or Pakistanis. It is us Pakistanis who are diseased. As a human, how can anyone rejoice at the death of a fellow human? And then, how can you show off your elation to the world? It is sick, neigh, it is ghastly. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard "learned" people proclaiming you deserved to die. Did you really?

There were people from the US and other places saying this is the country that we tried to help when the floods came. They said they wouldn't do it again. But you know what's going to happen? These same Pakistani people will cry like whining babies when the US and other nations will refuse to help us in our time of need. These same hypocrites who say that it is "our Islam" and we are happy someone "ridiculing" it died will sob and protest when the US will say go feed yourself. I have realized it us who have isolated the world; not the other way round.

Where is that tolerant society that Islam and Pakistan envisioned? When masqueraders of peace are in fact violence inciting barbarians, it isn't hard to notice that the envisioned vision stands shattered. We needed someone who could call a spade, a spade. We needed someone who could stop hiding behind that curtain of Islam and accept what he was and who he was. Islam has been modified, sliced and changed. It is now a tool, which is used to protect murderers. It is but a shame on all of us.

I don't know what to say anymore, because I'm shocked. More shocked than your death I must say, because it is the attitude of the Pakistani population that has left me scratching my head.

Shameless hypocrites. All of us.

I don't know why we always start scrutinizing the personal lives of people? Ever wondered? Was Salman Taseer a Muslim? Oh wait, that can't be right he was a drinker! Was he a Kafir? Oh that's right. He was a Kafir that's why he got killed. Serves him right for speaking out against the blasphemy law.

And then once we're done establishing that Salman Taseer deserved what he got, let's look at some other things. He went to that restaurant in his Civic. How many of our “religious, God fearing” leaders step out of their house in anything less than a Bimmer or a Merc? He had just one squad mobile detailed to him. How many of our "religious minded, and totally God fearing" leaders step outside without road cordons and 20 squad vehicles?

Some people are rejoicing because he sided with that “low life” Aasia Bibi because she blasphemed against the Holy Prophet. Ok, he sided with her. But then our dear Muslim “scholars” who support her death sentence say that low lifes such as Aasia Bibi’s can’t reduce the grandeur of the greatest man to have ever lived. Hypocrisy much? Oh wait, these very “Muslims” are famous for that aren’t they?

Did Salman Taseer really deserve to die for proclaiming that the blasphemy laws should be looked at and changed for the better? He never said they should be repealed; he didn’t even say he was going to do anything to change them. He merely stated that it is the Parliament’s jurisdiction and the Parliament needs to change them appropriately to stop them from being misused. What was so wrong with his statement that some fanatic jumped the gun with him?

You know, I can already tell what some of my “friends” and acquaintances are probably thinking right now. That I’m “La-deen” and irreligious. But am I really? How does one reconcile to the fact that those who want death and destruction are the ones preaching equality and peace? The guard who killed Salman Taseer says Taseer was a “Gustakh-e-Rasool”. Did God send him a cable telling him to kill Taseer? If Allah (SWT) was so displeased with Salman Taseer, He would’ve taken His revenge. He would’ve probably have taken Taseer’s life in a freak accident; or He would’ve rained fire on Taseer’s house.

Islam has taught us to love and coexist peacefully. Islam has given protection to minorities. One of the biggest Gustakh-e-Rasool Abu Sufyan was so touched by the Prophet’s exaltedness that he embraced Islam. Did the Prophet say kill Abu Sufyan because he blasphemed against me? Or did he say kill that old woman because she threw garbage on me? I ask this from those who say that the blasphemy laws defend the Holy Prophet’s honour. The Holy Prophet’s honour cannot be protected by us low lifes. His honour’s defence has been taken up by Allah Himself. What are we lowly creatures fighting over then? And actually killing people over it?

This is the same country that cries when whiskey goes short during new year’s celebrations. Shameless hypocrites we all are. This is the same country in which women are raped and then paraded around naked. Isn’t it forbidden in Islam to touch a non-Mehram let alone rape her? And then parade her naked in the streets? This is the country where Mughees and Muneeb Butt were murdered because they were just passing through a village. I've never heard anyone say "Kill the rapists! Kill the murderers of Mughees and Muneeb! I've never heard people say kill those who yell Islam! Islam! at the top of their voices but then say "this year the corruption is Haj affairs was less as compared to last year". I don't even know if these "Munafiqeen" deserve to be called hypocrites anymore. And yet, we have people preaching murder against Salman Taseer because he stated what was common sense. Truly, common sense is indeed a rarity in this God forsaken country of ours.

I am sad today because Salman Taseer was murdered for a totally pointless, senseless and utterly delusional reason. I am sad because a fellow human was murdered because some people decided that dialogue and mutual discussion is against the fundamentals of Islam. I can’t say I agreed with Salman Taseer’s politics. No, I am not a supporter of PPP. And yes, I still want Zardari to be put in front of a court. But that all just doesn’t matter because Taseer was murdered over something that has caused this country angst and pain.

If the blasphemy law is used for personal gains, and we know that it is, then there is no reason to not amend it. That’s all what I want or perhaps those amongst us who refuse to believe Islam can incite violence. Is that an unjustifiable demand?