Who will embrace Vero Kolhi?

Shirimati Dero alias Vero Kolhi - unknown to the many, is challenging traditional political paradigms in Sindh. She has become a hope of local community and symbol of courage and women empowerment in Sindh. She is inspiring thousands of women, children and men, especially vulnerable section of Sindhi society, the Hindus.

Veero Kolhi has become the first Hindu woman contesting provincial general elections in the history of Pakistan. Veero is contesting as independent candidate against Sharjeel Momon of Pakistan Peoples Party and others at PS-50 Tandojam-Sindh. While submitting her papers in Election Commission she declared her wealth as two beds (Charpai), five mattresses (Rili), cooking pots - and 2,800 rupees savings.

Once herself bonded-laborer of a landlord in Sindh, Veero has been struggling for bonded-labourers and fighting against the landlords for labor rights.  She may not win the elections but at least she has given a hope to her people and gained a huge public support across the province.

Today when we are celebrating International Labor Day – May 1, this brave lady is fighting alone for labor rights in Sindh!

Many political parties in Pakistan claims to be pro-poor and laborer – lets see which political party embrace Verro and takes her mission forward!

Shafiq Solangi

And, they burnt him alive – Shafiq Solangi

And, they burnt him alive

By – Shafiq Solangi

Every time I read about crucifixion I ask myself that how could Romans kill Jesus so brutally? How could men behave like animals to kill a person? How could a man kill another with no mercy and humanity?  If human is superior creation of its creator - what makes it different? And, I end-up with many such unanswered questions.

On January 21^st, 2012 when the Sindh was celebrating cultural ‘Topi Ajrak’ day – some people were busy in torturing an unknown person at Sita Village, a small village in Dadu district.

The day was marked to convey the world that Sindh is the land of peace, and Sufism, and the Indus is the proud civilization where people live with peace, love and tolerance since thousands of years. The day when people were chanting the slogans’ of Hosho and Hemoon - these villagers were butchering an unknown accused man. The day when our scholars were talking about message of peace given by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast and Saami - one mob was busy there in killing a human being.

When a friend texted me about this I was shocked to know that such inhuman incident could happen in Sindh, and in village very near to my own village. I was thinking wither this has happened in Afghanistan or in Sindh because I have never heard such incident had happened in Sindh before.

Later, I learnt that around 1:00am at the night watchman of the village saw some smoke in the Mosque, he called other villagers and when they went inside the mosque they saw something was burning and a man was sitting near. Those who entered into the mosque first saw that the man was burning the copies of Quran and the pictures of Quranic verses. They caught him - beat him and then hand over to the Rajo Dero police station near village. Police lodged First Investigation Report (FIR) against him under Sections 302 and 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

This was fine, he desecrated holy book - you beaten him and handed over to the police. Now, let the law decide in what conditions he did all that - and why. Unfortunately, this didn’t end here. 

Around 9:00am crowd gathers outside the police station and demanded that man be given to them. When police refused, they raided the police station, beaten police officers and snatched their weapons. They took unidentified accused person into their custody and throw him down form three story building of the Rajo Dero police station. He was dragged down by the mob from police station to the Village bus stop where he was fired with fuel and burnt till death around 10:30am.

Ask the villagers and then will tell one thing this about this unknown person very surely that he was mentally disturb, an insane person. Infect a normal person will never set on fire religious books and watch them burn. Instead of sending him to the mental hospital he was beaten up and dragged to the police station – and consequently was burnt alive.

Now, the question arises that is this the way to punish any accused? Who will decide the life or death of an accused, the law or the single Pontius Pilate? Who has authorized these people to decide and kill such accused? Why our state machinery is so inefficient and powerless - while these mobs so powerful? Even if this unknown person had desecrated holy Quran – who was authorized to investigate the truth and punish him, the courts or the crowd?

This incident is alarming for our law and order agencies, courts - and for we the people. Religious extremism and religious intolerance has engulfed our society where people are killed and burnt alive in the name of religion. Now when all this has happened, I am thinking who among these was real mentally abnormal, the person who burnt the holy Quran or the people who burnt this unknown person alive.  

Janay kab kon kisay maar de kafir keh kay

Shehr ka shehr musalman hua phirta hay.

Shafiq Solangi tweets @shafiqsolangi 

VIEW : In Pakistan: accusations and protests — Shafiq Solangi Daily Times – Monday, October 08, 2012

VIEW : In Pakistan: accusations and protests — Shafiq Solangi

Daily Times – Monday, October 08, 2012

Iron rods, sticks and weapons were defiantly not the stuff to celebrate the Ishq-e-Rasool day with

In September, we experienced two very caustic events that raised some questions on the credibility of Pakistan at the national and international level. First, there was the statement of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on nuclear proliferation and second, the countrywide violent protests against the sacrilegious film.

The nuclear scientist revealed that the former prime minister of Pakistan, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, asked him to transfer nuclear technology to two countries. He said, “At least 800 people are used to supervise the process. The then prime minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto summoned me and named the two countries that were to be assisted, and issued clear directions in this regard.” However, in 2004, Dr Khan confessed that he helped in the proliferation of nuclear technology to three countries including Iran, Libya and North Korea. If this story is true, the question arises why he remained silent for the last eight long years. Why did he not reveal this information when Ms Bhutto was alive; she would have answered him more appropriately. Would it not be appropriate to say that while Ms Bhutto is not alive, Dr Khan wants to cleanse his guilt by blaming a person who cannot answer his fabricated claim?

In the same interview, while talking about the former prime minister, Mian Nawaz Sharif and the nuclear test, Dr Khan said, “...But I made it clear that if he did so, I shall put the facts before the media. After this, Mian Nawaz Sharif was compelled to conduct the nuclear tests.” Now, Dr Khan, in his own words, proves that he compelled Mr Sharif to go for nuclear testing. If he disobeyed the then prime minister Mr Sharif, why did he not refuse Benazir Bhutto? Why did he not threaten her that he would put the facts before the media?

Interestingly, there are some contradictions within Dr Khan’s statements. If 800 people supervise the process, how did he manage to do the business of proliferation alone? Or did he take all 800 concerned people on board before obeying the command of the then prime minister, Ms Bhutto? While Dr Khan now claims that he proliferated nuclear technology to two countries on the command of the late Ms Bhutto, while in his confession in 2004, he admitted he proliferated to three countries (Iran, Libya and North Korea). Can Dr Khan tell the nation if he assisted the third country as a personal goodwill gesture?

Now since Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan wants to prove that he merely followed orders and he is innocent, he should also realise that such a statement is highly irresponsible from a nuclear scientist. It will not help him to clear the mess created in the past but it will also further damage the image of Pakistan at the national and international level. Therefore, he should act responsibly and not blame a twice-elected prime minister, and the pride of the nation, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

Then came a Friday, of September 21, 2012. Not a good Friday, it was indeed. The way we behaved was unfortunately undisciplined, unorganised and violent. This was not the way to show the love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In fact, what we as a nation conveyed to the world community was something very bad and unexpected. Iron rods, sticks and weapons were defiantly not the stuff to celebrate the Ishq-e-Rasool day with.

If noted, a majority of these violent protesters were young (under 18) and it would not be a wild guess that many of these were students of madrassas. These young madrassa students seemed too well prepared to damage public property; it was as if they were asked to do that. Burning and destroying government and private property and killing innocent people is un-Islamic and it is strongly condemnable.

Later on, some political parties and media sections accused the government for all that happened on that unfortunate day and termed it as ‘state-sponsored’ violent strikes. However, keeping political point scoring statements aside, we should give the credit where it is due. It was a wise decision to ensure there was no loss of lives and property. That day people were considered to be more secure in their homes than on the roads or at the workplace.

I keep thinking, which one from the above two was more dangerous; when I reach a conclusion, I find both of them equally terrible, irresponsible and vicious in their own way.

The writer is a research analyst in Islamabad and tweets at @shafiqsolangi He can be reached at Shafiqsolangi_ir@hotmail.com

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\10\08\story_8-10-2012_pg3_5

Pinky remembered-

By- Shafiq Solangi

The Sun of June 21, 1953 witnessed the birth of a great leader of the world Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto. Her father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto called her Pinky. He knew that his daughter has great potential to be a great leader that’s why he always kept her under his own guidance. 

When she arrived home after her father’s martyrdom she was welcomed by millions of peoples in Lahore. People always supported her as they did to her father Mr. Bhutto. She joined politics to fulfill her father’s mission and to bring Democracy, modernization and development in Pakistan. When this brave girl of gutsy father came back the people showed great love and affection to her and elected her as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan and first ever in entire Muslim world. She became a sign of democracy, bravery and a pride of all civilized democracies, and women of the world.

Unfortunately the forces of tyranny interfered in her first term of government and she could not complete her tenure same happened with her during her second tenure and the oppression and authoritarian prevailed over good and democracy. But people of Pakistan never stopped supporting and loving her and soon she became the most popular and loving leader of the nation like Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

She was supported by whole nation, a hope had been candled in hearts of people that she has arrived and everything will be alright, that’s why people called her chain of federation and champion of democracy. Those who were opponent of democracy and welfare of people found it a threat to their interests.

On 27 December 2007 brave Pinky was martyred, her killers thought that her vision, and her ideas would also die with her but perhaps they had never known that she has left her vision and ideas in the minds and hearts of the nation which can’t be erased. Her name will remain living until the last supporter of democracy is alive on this earth.

Happy Birthday BB.

The new political frontier

By: Shafiq Solangi

Pakistan Today: Friday, May 25, 2012 

Ignore the influence of social media at your own peril

Gone are the days when we used to wait for the morning paper to know about national and international affairs - because of social media, we get the information as it happens. In today’s interconnected world, text messages, emails, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other social media tools have replaced traditional media like radio, print and television.

The internet has been perhaps the most outstanding innovation in the field of communications and research. Today, a big chunk of the world population uses the internet for multiple purposes. Internet World Stats (IWS) estimated that there are around 2,267,233,742 internet users in the world which is 32.7% of the total world population. A regional breakup suggests that 44.8% of total internet users are Asians. Interestingly, among the world’s top 20 internet user states, China stands at number one, India at number three and Pakistan at twenty.

According to the study, in December 2011, there were about 30 million internet users in Pakistan which amounts to 15.5 percent of the total population. Facebook is the most visited Internet site in Pakistan, followed by Google, YouTube, Wikipedia, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. Pakistan is at 26th in the world ranking of Facebook users; currently, there are more than 6 million Facebook users in Pakistan. 51 per cent of the 6 million Facebook users from Pakistan belong to the 18-24 age bracket. Twitter is said to have around more than 3 million users in Pakistan (more than the population of our capital city, Islamabad) and this rate is increasing rapidly. Thus, a Twitter post of 140 characters is powerful beyond its size.

Internet penetration is dramatically increasing in our country as Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd (PTCL) and other telecommunications are now offering affordable and speedy internet services now. Our involvement and interest in social networking can be judged when the government, particularly the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was vastly criticised by people from every walk of life when it blocked Twitter for more than eight hours on May 20. Next day, it was a front page story on mainstream papers with editorials and opinions.

This new media is effective in many ways. It provides a platform to the people where they can write, share and express their ideas without any fear and compulsion and gives them an opportunity to get together and united for a purpose. It also gives people the sense of being empowered since they can raise social issues, agitate about them, forward their opinions to the requisite authorities through these channels. Since it is an excellent source of connectivity, not only is it a catalyst for collective social action but also makes organising the same easier. Thus, social media channels can have an effect on public opinion and influence policy making in a number of ways.

It is well know that almost all American politicians employ social media to full effect in their elections campaign. Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande too used social media very effectively in the French presidential elections held in April-May this year. Not so surprisingly, social media played an important role in helping Hollande to win the presidential elections.

Today, political parties in Pakistan are also making good use of social media; most of the political parties have official websites, Facebook and Twitter pages. This shows that they have now recognised the power and significance of these new media. Social networks are the best medium for our political parties to attract and engage their followers and voters, especially their younger, urban demographic. Most political parties such as the PPP, PTI, PML-N, MQM manage their online presence to communicate with their workers and engage and inform people about their events and policies.

Politicians too have their individual accounts. Imran Khan, Marvi Memon, Bilawal Bhutto, Shahbaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf and others have a sizable fan following on social forums. This shows their interest to defend their party and engage with people via social media. However; Imran Khan and his PTI is using social media more effectively and strategically than others. Diplomats are not behind in this race; they are actively engaged with their followers on social media forums. Pakistan ambassador to US Sherry Rehman, former ambassador Hussain Haqqani are but two examples of diplomats active on Twitter.

It won’t be a stretch to claim that these forums are playing an effective and constructive role in our society and in the politics of the country. According to reports, 50 per cent of the registered voters are between eighteen to thirty five years of age; political parties cannot ignore the fact that this segment of population uses the internet and social networks the most. The one who will attract and engage the followers on social forums will definitely reap the benefits in the near future.

Social media is challenging traditional political patterns and it is introducing new political paradigms. Our political parties have to own and adopt these new practices because the influence of online social networks will definitely make a difference in future elections, and those who will ignore this will do so at their own peril.

The writer is a political research analyst based in Islamabad and tweets @shafiqsolangi

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/05/25/comment/columns/the-new-political-frontier/

Sindh — In a state of negligence

By Shafiq Solangi

Daily Times: Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Flooded towns, broken roads, politicised police, extortion, worst law and order, robberies, mobile snatching, unavailability of clean drinking water, no proper drainage system - welcome to Sindh. The second most populated province of the country with rich natural resources, culture and history is unfortunately facing terrible negligence of the government.

It is really very awful to know that the flood-hit areas of the province like Badin, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar and other districts are still flooded. Indeed, floodwater from the land of influenced people has been cleared but the land and houses of less influenced are still under water. Broken roads, displaced families, destroyed villages and towns themselves tell the state of negligence by the government. International aid agencies also question Sindh government’s credibility of aid distribution and doubt that a chunk of aid goes into the pockets of the government officials. The Sindh government should pay serious attention and take firm steps for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-hit areas and internally displaced families.

The law and order situation of the province is getting onto a horrifying track. We see, read and listen about increasing rate of robberies, kidnapping, ethnic and societal violence. Trend of extortion is also increasing which indeed is an alarming sign for the local business community. Police and other law enforcement agencies should stop behaving like an ostrich and work actively with open eyes to maintain peace and order in the province. They, however, are equally responsible for growing bloodshed.

Growing violence and use of force by the influential and feudal lords increases the sense of deprivation and insecurity in local middle class, especially in minorities. Hindu business community has a great contribution in the economy of Sindh but now unfortunately the Hindu families are leaving for India as they have serious security concerns here. Their children are abducted regularly for ransom; their girls are forcibly converted to Islam at gunpoint and their men receive death threats for extortion. This educated, professional and peaceful community needs government’s and right groups’ attention at the earliest.

Situation of education in Sindh is also not satisfactory; hundreds of schools have no physical infrastructure and faculty. Many schools are run by a single or coupe of teachers, while others enjoy the salaries in agreement with higher education or administrative authorities. Cheating culture in our education institutes is also worrisome; it is very shameful to see our public education system is deteriorating so badly. Since education after 18th Amendment became a provincial subject, and we cannot and should not blame the federal government of all the mess in it.

Former capital of Sindh, Hyderabad, is rapidly transforming into a metropolitan city. This should be the reason of wariness for the city management; however, no long-term policies have been introduced to govern this city properly and peacefully. People who live in Islamabad and Karachi would get surprised to know that there is only one functional traffic signal in this huge city, and perhaps that too is practical because nearby is the Hyderabad Saddar Cantt. Condition of roads is most horrible, broken roads full of sewerage water and squeezed traffic are even worst. No renovation projects have been witnessed by the people since very long.

Intentionally or unintentionally people are unheard at the higher level while the province has been ignored terribly. People complain against this neglect of the government because the expectations from their favourite government were unduly high. Perhaps, those who were elected to serve their people haven’t stopped over in cities or possibly they have no more interest to solve the problems of the people of their constituencies. 

Honestly speaking, the dilemma with the Pakistani politicians is that they forget their constituencies once they get elected, they actually get busy in power politics and number games but unluckily they have to go back to their constituencies in 2013.

The writer is a political research analyst in a research-based organisation in Islamabad

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\04\18\story_18-4-2012_pg7_16

Benazir Bhutto: martyr of democracy

By: Shafiq Solangi

Daily Times: Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Today (December 27, 2011) is the fourth martyrdom anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, which is being observed with a renewed pledge to make the country a true democratic, progressive and prosperous state in line with her vision. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will be remembered forever as a sign of democracy, bravery and a pride of all civilised democracies and women of the world. People always supported her as they did her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She joined politics to fulfil her father’s mission and to bring democracy, modernisation and development to Pakistan.

When this brave girl of a gutsy father came back in 1986, the people showed great love and affection to her and elected her as the first woman prime minister of Pakistan and the first ever in the entire Muslim world. A charismatic and peerless leader as she was, Benazir Bhutto had the honour to serve the nation as the only female prime minister of the country twice (1988-1990 and 1993-1996). Benazir Bhutto always loved Pakistan and its people, which is why she came back to the country despite threats to her life.

Benazir Bhutto in an interview had said that she was willing to take the risk and pay with her life if that was the cost of restoring democracy in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the forces of tyranny interfered in her first term of government and she could not complete her tenure; the same happened with her during her second tenure. Oppression and authoritarianism prevailed over democracy. The people of Pakistan never stopped supporting and loving her.

She was supported by the whole nation; a hope had been kindled in the hearts of the people that she has arrived and everything will be all right, which is why people called her the chain of the federation and a champion of democracy. When she returned home, the opponents of democracy, peace and welfare of the people found it a threat to their interests. On December 27, 2007, brave Pinky was martyred!

Her killers thought that her vision and her ideas would also die with her but perhaps they had never known that she has left her vision and ideas in the minds and hearts of the nation, which cannot be erased. 

She sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy and followed the footsteps of her father Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The world condemned in the strongest terms the outrageous and brutal murder of the former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Ms Benazir Bhutto. Her death was not just a loss for Pakistan but for the world — the vacuum created by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto is impossible to be filled. The political arena of Pakistan will miss Shaheed BB forever. Her sacrifices continue to live on in the hearts and minds of her countrymen and her name will remain alive until the last supporter of democracy breathes in the world.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\12\27\story_27-12-2011_pg3_7