Laaltain Magazine (Issue 1) by Khudi Pakistan

Dear Readers, Salaams and welcome to the first edition of the Khudi magazine.

3-4

5-6

7-8

What you currently hold in your hands is a new initiative launched by ‘Khudi’ – a youth movement dedicated to reinforcing pride in the history and identity of Pakistan while striving to create a culture of pluralism and democracy in line with the vision of Mohammad Ali Jinnah (more details about Khudi can be found on pg. 03-04) All the content within these pages has come from Pakistani students; the views, opinions and ideas expressed here are from young voices across the length and breadth of our country, for whom ‘Khudi’ aims to be a platform for free and fearless debate. Our job has been to simply put this magazine together, and by making it available in as many universities as possible, we hope to build bridges and improve communication between Pakistani youth. So whether you are a student living in Quetta, Karachi, Faisalabad or Dera Ismail Khan, you can be part of the ‘Khudi’ family and celebrate unity in diversity along with us. So come join the debate!

9-10

11-12

13-14

Send us your articles, poetry, pictures or random thoughts in English or Urdu, so that people all over Pakistan can hear from you. All we ask is that anything you send highlights your personal perspective and provides a real snapshot of you. So spread the word, and keep the submissions coming at pakistanvolunteers@gmail.com. Best wishes to you all The Khudi team P.S. – the magazine will also be available online at www.khudipakistan.com, so watch out for it there!

15-16

17-18

19-20

21-22

23-24

25-26

Dear Readers, Salaams and welcome to the first edition of the Khudi magazine.

3-4

5-6

7-8

9-10

11-12

13-14

15-16

17-18

19-20

21-22

23-24

25-26

OuR WOrK

Khudi is a counter-extremism social movement working to promote a democratic culture in Pakistan. rees that terrorism is Pretty much everyone ag ce against civilians and unacceptable, but violen we should condemn. suicide attacks are not all are intolerant of Extremist attitudes that cal, ethnic or sectarian, difference, be they politi be violent to be wrong. don’t necessarily need to g is racism, which is wron The best example of this involved. In societies even when no violence is is allowed to flourish where extremist thought n and division become unchecked, discriminatio the Quaid’s vision of the norm. Thus, to fulfil remism of all kinds, unity for this country, ext needs to be challenged. whether violent or not,

Social Movement (Definition): a type of group action. Large groupings of individuals and/or organisations focused on specific political or social issues, in other words, on carrying out, resisting or undoing a social change.

Democracy isn’t just about voting once every 5 years, is it? If elections were the only guarantor of democracy, Adolf Hitler would be considered democratic! After all, he was voted into power through the ballot. To ensure that the system actually works for us and that the country actually goes somewhere, a ‘culture’ of democracy is needed (one that we sadly have never had). That means: - Freedom of speech, assembly and belief - Free and fair elections - Equality and justice for all

Events We love organising events. We think it’s a great way to get people together to talk about the issues that really matter and figure out what to do about them. We do conferences, we do workshops, we do debates, and all that sort of stuff. And our events are open to anyone and everyone with something to contribute.

Magazine You’re holding it right now. Enough said!

Competitions We thought we’d organise some of these to get the creative types involved. Besides, there’s so much potential in Pakistan that it would be a shame not to provide opportunities for people to utilise their talents. Of course there are prizes involved too.

How many times have all of us complained about Pakistan? The system doesn’t work, the leaders are corrupt, the neighbours are bullying us, the water is running out...and so the list goes on. The reality is that complaining isn’t much of a solution – each of us is responsible for making Pakistan a more respected and respectful place. It’s a cause worth working for, don’t you think?

Media Pakistan is a huge country – seventh largest in the world today in terms of population. As much as we’d like to personally talk to every citizen, it doesn’t seem very likely that we’ll be able to do so. That’s where we think the media can really help us out. So watch out for us on TV, radio and newspapers, and make sure you let us know what you think!

Our PeOPLE

Merchandise Wristbands, t-shirts, posters – all with our Khudi logo on them. But the products we offer are slightly different as we’ve tried to make the whole enterprise socially conscious. This means that every item you buy from us directly benefits a Pakistani in need.

Founder

Maajid Nawaz is founder of Khudi. How he ended up starting this movement is quite a story. At 16, Maajid got mixed up in the wrong crowd – you know the types that present you with answers that seem so convincing, but in reality are nothing more than distortions and lies? Anyway, Maajid ended up joining an extremist organisation, for which he worked for the next 13 years. All the while he thought he was working for Islam, so much so that he even spent 4 years in an Egyptian jail for it.

More details are available on our website, so go check it out!

Eventually though, after actually studying Islam for the first time, he realised how wrong he had been (thankfully!). The more he studied the more he became convinced that extremism has no place in Islam. But it wasn’t enough just to know this – Maajid wanted to do something about it. And so Khudi was born, as a way through which young people all over Pakistan can take a stance against this menace. The rest, as they say, is history.

Volunteers

The Khudi Team isn’t exactly alone in what it does. Khudi has a whole network of volunteers spread across the country, from Karachi to Peshawar and from Quetta to Bahawalpur. There are too many to mention everyone here by name, but they’re the true strength of Khudi. They’re all passionate about the message and are instrumental in organising projects and providing ideas about how to make Khudi work for Pakistan.

Our volunteers vary across age, gender, religion, ethnicity and social class, but this diversity is what we are most proud of. After all, our greatest strength as a nation lies in our ability to work together despite our differences.

The Team

Salma B. is our Events & Volunteers Co-ordinator. Imran K. is our Press & Publicity Person. Fatima H. basically does Everything Else In Between.

KHUDI

Learn More. Talk Less. Hope More. Fear Less. Breathe More. Love More. Discover Yourself.

A Better World Is Possible.

JOiN US

Find out what we’re up to and how you can get involved Web: www.khudipakistan.com Email: pakistanvolunteers@gmail.com Tel: +92 305 409 0051 p.s. we’re on Facebook and Twitter too.

OuR WOrK

Magazine You’re holding it right now. Enough said!

Our PeOPLE

Founder

More details are available on our website, so go check it out!

Volunteers

The Team

Salma B. is our Events & Volunteers Co-ordinator. Imran K. is our Press & Publicity Person. Fatima H. basically does Everything Else In Between.

KHUDI

Learn More. Talk Less. Hope More. Fear Less. Breathe More. Love More. Discover Yourself.

A Better World Is Possible.

JOiN US

Find out what we’re up to and how you can get involved Web: www.khudipakistan.com Email: pakistanvolunteers@gmail.com Tel: +92 305 409 0051 p.s. we’re on Facebook and Twitter too.

A Changing Landscape Hameeda Aslam Sardar Bahadur Khan University

I opened my eyes and took my first breath in the air of the beautiful valley of Quetta, surrounded by majestic grey mountains standing tall to protect this small vale. Life here was secure, serene and happy, with the walls around the houses, offices and banks merely there to mark the boundaries. I grew up listening to a variety of native languages and dialects. National holidays were celebrated with enthusiasm and zeal to work for the betterment of the country. People living in other parts of Pakistan knew little about this small valley; all they knew was that the apples, grapes, and almonds that they enjoyed during chilly winters and the hand-woven carpets that adorned their drawing rooms came from Quetta.

The metropolis was not devoid of crimes but these were associated only with particular individuals; I can hardly recall people blaming the whole clan for the wrong done by a single person. My generation did witness curfews in wake of the clashes between the two major local political parties, but at that time blood wasn’t as cheap and worthless as it seems today. The Shias used to be very cooperative during Ashura and the Sunnis showed respect for the religious occasion. Religion was a matter of personal belief, faith and liberty.

Rafia Amber Lahore University of Management Sciences If one could imagine Pakistan shrinking to the size of a hostel room, one would be imagining my room. With three different ethnicities from three different socio-cultural backgrounds and three different cities living in a room, one would imagine fireworks; especially when the three ethnicities are girls being made to share two small cupboards and a single dressing table. In this case, however, one would be imagining incorrectly. One of the best aspects of being a student at LUMS is the learning experience of being able to understand and appreciate cultures and viewpoints different from one’s own. I am a Punjabi from Lahore living with a Pathan from Islamabad and a Gujarati Muhajir from Karachi. If there is truth in stereotyping, we are pretty much products of our cultures, perfect representatives of what a typical Punjabi, Pathan or a Gujrati would be like. And in our differences we have found the most serene harmony possible. Karachi may be torn in conflict between Pathans and Muhajirs, but scarce resources of precious space never caused conflict between us. The other provinces may accuse Punjab of taking the lion’s share of national revenue, but we never found anything but satisfaction in the other having more than ourselves. Why is that so? Is it because we come from roughly similar income backgrounds? Is it because we know each other individually and are friends? Or is it because in our differences we have found unity? I tend to think the latter. We identify ourselves as one; the success of one means the success of all. Our differences, from the famed Pathan volatility, to Punjabi joviality, to even Gujarati frugality, fit together like jigsaw pieces to make a complete and balanced whole. We do not begrudge each other’s success, rather we revel in it.

The key here is unity. We may continue to identify ourselves by our place of birth and by our upbringing, but our differences lie under the umbrella of our common ‘Pakistani-ness’. Whether we have forgotten this since independence or whether we never really learnt it, I do not pretend to know. Yet, when I see LUMS as a whole and our room in particular united in its differences, I cannot help but wonder where we went wrong as a nation, to a point where the collective ‘us’ has been forgotten in favour of the individual ‘we’.

People here were of a more nationalistic bent of mind, but 14 August was a day of celebration observed with the same patriotic zeal as in any other part of the country. People were not as educated as they are today but there was understanding and a sense of unity, faith and discipline. Today my city has turned into a barrack; with the passage of time the demarcations of buildings have been turned into tall solid walls. Even to cover a distance of fifteen minutes, one is forced to stop at at least three check posts. Entry into any educational institute is an ordeal; everyone is suspicious of the other. The divisions don’t just run along sectarian lines but also between different ethnic groups - all Balochis are considered killers, all Pashtuns terrorists and all settlers usurpers. The media with all its benefits has but divided us. In my university, even students from the most remote and backward areas of the province reiterate the statements of the tribal Baloch leaders without being aware of the background and not realizing the consequences of such thought. The media has certainly limited our faculty of thinking and our ability to differentiate between good and bad, right and wrong. The disturbing thing is not the inconvenience caused by the various security measures in the city today but rather the fact that the indiscriminate violence has not yet been controlled. While it may still be possible for people to live happily in poverty, they can certainly not do so in an ineffective all-time red alert.

A Changing Landscape Hameeda Aslam Sardar Bahadur Khan University

Someone in Pakistan is...

Drinking ‘chai’ Cleaning the Streets

With the dawn of each of new day in Pakistan, sanitary workers can be seen cleaning the streets, neighbourhoods and markets of our cities. Recently, awareness about the importance of the environment has increased in the country. On 22 April 2010, hundreds of Pakistani schoolchildren celebrated Earth Day to show global solidarity with efforts to preserve our planet.

07:00AM Surfing the web

Similar to the rest of the world, Pakistan has witnessed a telecommunication revolution in the past few years. Internet cafes have opened up everywhere, with more and more people going online to surf the web, check for news updates and stay connected via email and Facebook. The World Bank estimates that 18.5 million people use the internet in Pakistan today.

Drinking chai has often been cited as the national habit of Pakistanis. Most of us go through the day drinking at least a few cups of it. Tea culture, which was introduced to the sub-continent by the British, has also facilitated the intellectual growth of the nation. Places such as Pak Tea House in Lahore were central to the city’s cultural and political life for decades – a place where artists, intellectuals and writers could freely express their views while drinking endless cups of tea.

Going to school Early mornings in Pakistan’s cities and villages are accompanied by the sight of children heading to school. These kids represent the best hope for a country with 50 million illiterate citizens, an overall literacy rate of just 54%, and an education budget which is still less than 3% of the GDP – one of the lowest in the entire world.

Watching TV Many of us have fond memories from our childhood days of watching cartoons on PTV before leaving for school in the mornings. A lot has changed with television since then. From 2004 onwards, Pakistan witnessed a boom in the number of TV channels dedicated to news, entertainment, business and music. Today there over 40 private TV channels and 100 private FM radio stations operating in the country.

Someone in Pakistan is...

Drinking ‘chai’ Cleaning the Streets

07:00AM Surfing the web

A Poetic Peek at Pakistan For anyone who has lived in Pakistan, the verses depicted on the backs of many trucks, rickshaws and minibuses are a familiar sight. However, few realize that the humour, wisdom and imagination of this poetry provides a fascinating insight into everyday Pakistan – all topics are covered, from love, life and loneliness, to the troubled times we live in. Here’s a glimpse at this unique Pakistani tradition lovingly preserved by those who most frequently travel our roads.

WORDS FOR CHANGE Asmara Khan

Verses borrowed from ‘Deewan-e-Transport’ – a compilation of ‘transport poetry’ by S.M. Shaiq

Asmara Khan Winner of ‘INQUILAAB – Words for Change’ (http://pya.org.pk/inquilaab) A project of Pakistan Youth Alliance (http://www.pya.org.pk) Pakistan Youth Alliance (PYA) was conceived during the military rule of 2007, and was formed as a result of young people feeling they should assume greater responsibility for their country and its future direction. Its core objective is to create mass socio-political awareness amongst the youth of Pakistan, and to channel their energies in an organized manner to yield actual and practical output that can serve Pakistan.

WORDS FOR CHANGE Asmara Khan

Verses borrowed from ‘Deewan-e-Transport’ – a compilation of ‘transport poetry’ by S.M. Shaiq

NEW SWATS IN THE MAKING Muatasim Qazi Balochistan University

Life for seven year old Bilal suddenly lost all its lustre when his parents were killed in a car accident at an age when a child needs them most. His uncle-cum-guardian, having a large family to support, admitted him to a religious seminary. Life wasn’t as simple as it seems for children of his age living outside this confined world. When he reached adolescence, Bilal was made to join a training camp in Afghanistan to fight the Red Army. Little did he know then that he was about to embark on a journey that would have far-reaching consequences for generations to come in his native district. Bilal’s sad story is not the sole precedent in Pakistan’s southwestern district of Panjgur, in Balochistan province. Panjgur, a district that is highly regarded for its date production, is somehow turning into another Swat. This district is one of the few areas in Balochistan where the tribal system was abolished centuries ago. A large proportion of society comprises middle class families yearning for education, development and the establishment of a moderate society. But nowadays the rate of transformation into a modern enlightened society is fast losing pace. The clergy gains strength with the break of every day. Religious madrassahs spawn radicalism and form public opinion by giving Friday sermons to large groups of people, persuading them to join ‘the holy war’ against the ‘blasphemous’. Religious literature enticing radical sentiments is rampant. Audio lectures of the leaders of blacklisted terrorist outfits are sold in open markets. The so-called ‘jihad’ against the Soviets and the emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan have left scars on society that will take years to heal. As in many other parts of the country, the youth of this district were recruited, trained and sent to fight the ‘infidels’ of the Soviet Army in the 80s. After the disintegration of the now defunct Soviet Union, most of these trained militants returned home and amalgamated with society. With the advent of the Taliban in Afghanistan, these elements became proactive and once again returned to Afghanistan to fight the ‘holy war’ to implement Shari’ah. After 9/11 and the subsequent fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan these elements finally came back to Pakistan, this time with a specific agenda to enforce. Like Bilal, many such trained elements have returned to Pangjur and now form a large proportion of society, running their own madrassahs and allegedly brainwashing their students to join the ‘holy war’. Students of religious seminaries are frequently sent to Afghanistan via Quetta (the number is said to be hundreds each month) to get armed training, after which they return home. They move about freely and rarely have trouble crossing the Durand

Line. Some of them, of course, never return, as they are killed on the battlefield. The clergy declare them as martyrs and persuade their bereaved families to enrol the orphans of the deceased in their seminaries. This has now become a trend, as poverty acts as a driving force in enforced enrolment in religious seminaries. As a result, these orphans end up in training camps in various parts of the country, or in Afghanistan. The backlash of this is clear for all to see in today’s Pakistan. Our country now faces a severe threat from such elements. After their expulsion from Swat Valley they started gaining ground in Waziristan, but due to military operations in the area they are now trying to find new safe havens in Balochistan. Quetta Shura is no longer a mere supposition but a reality. Certain areas of the province have become no-go areas. Recently various girls’ schools have been threatened by the Taliban to suspend classes in Quetta and northern Balochistan, including south-western Panjgur – a scene reminiscent of the recent repression in Swat. A hand grenade was hurled into a girls’ school injuring two female teachers in the provincial metropolis. These incidents have created mass fear in the minds of parents, who were already reluctant to send their children to school after the suicide attack on the International Islamic University in Islamabad a few months ago. As a result, the Swat model of Talibanization is being applied to Bilal’s native district of Panjgur, where different government officials have been threatened and girls’ schools and private English language institutions are being intimidated. A source told the writer that an English language institution had been sent a letter warning the institute to stop teaching girls. As a consequence, the institute has advised female students to come to the institute fully veiled. These elements, which had once been part of the Taliban movement, are successfully transforming modern Panjguri society into something far more radical and violent. In the wake of such developments, it is high time Government functionaries took due measures to bring these activities to a halt, so that traditionally peaceful places like Panjgur do not become new Swats. In this we cannot afford to fail, as the outcome in case of failure would be nothing short of disastrous.

NEW SWATS IN THE MAKING Muatasim Qazi Balochistan University

ONE MAN CHANGE T CANNOT H E SYST E M

BREAKING

Name:

BOUNDaRIES

“Few in course map of credite

Moham

dividua

ls signi

of histo

i Jinnah

(Stanle y Wolpe

er still

ld. Hard

reating

mad Al

ficantly

ry. Few

the wor

d with c

Moham

mad Al

rt)

i Jinnah

alter th

modify

the

ne can

ly anyo

a natio

n-state

did all t

hree”

SUCCESS COMES WITH EXPERIENCE

WOMEN SHOULD F O L LO W , N O T L E A D

Name: Babar Iqbal Holds 4 World Records at age 12 Youngest Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

Name: Benazir Bhutto First woman to lead a Muslim-majority country

Develops applications for Microsoft Corporation in Dubai

Twice elected Prime Minister of Pakista ld

Youngest Chief Executive in the wor at age 35

EY N O M Y L I M A F H T I W O N LY T H O S E US O M A F E M O C E B R E V E

m a H m e e s a N : e Nam in South Fastest woman

Asia

an at the South Asi Gold medallist aka) 2010 tion Games (Dh hes Story” “A Rags to Ric

Federa-

PEOPLE SHOULD RET I R E AT 6 0 Name: Abdul S

Pakistan’s most

attar Edhi

famous philanth

ropist

World’s largest p

rivate ambulan

ce service

Record holder for the longest time working withou t a holiday

L A I T N E S S E S I N O I T EDUCA IRE OTHERS TO INSP Name:

Mai n a r a t Mukh uling

’r tal ‘jirga u r b a y ager b s a teen a d ing an e p a r , becom en all e Gangic t s om t to ju er righ strength for w h r o f t Fough ourage and c icon of world in her e h t shelter over ’s n e a wom ls and o o h c s Built ol er scho h in s village tudie e now s h s , lf e s e her Illiterat

He is now 82 ye

ars old

ONE MAN CHANGE T CANNOT H E SYST E M

BREAKING

Name:

BOUNDaRIES

“Few in course map of credite

Moham

dividua

ls signi

of histo

i Jinnah

(Stanle y Wolpe

er still

ld. Hard

reating

mad Al

ficantly

ry. Few

the wor

d with c

Moham

mad Al

rt)

i Jinnah

alter th

modify

the

ne can

ly anyo

a natio

n-state

did all t

hree”

SUCCESS COMES WITH EXPERIENCE

WOMEN SHOULD F O L LO W , N O T L E A D

Name: Babar Iqbal Holds 4 World Records at age 12 Youngest Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

Name: Benazir Bhutto First woman to lead a Muslim-majority country

Develops applications for Microsoft Corporation in Dubai

Twice elected Prime Minister of Pakista ld

Youngest Chief Executive in the wor at age 35

EY N O M Y L I M A F H T I W O N LY T H O S E US O M A F E M O C E B R E V E

m a H m e e s a N : e Nam in South Fastest woman

Asia

an at the South Asi Gold medallist aka) 2010 tion Games (Dh hes Story” “A Rags to Ric

Federa-

PEOPLE SHOULD RET I R E AT 6 0 Name: Abdul S

Pakistan’s most

attar Edhi

famous philanth

ropist

World’s largest p

rivate ambulan

ce service

Record holder for the longest time working withou t a holiday

L A I T N E S S E S I N O I T EDUCA IRE OTHERS TO INSP Name:

Mai n a r a t Mukh uling

He is now 82 ye

ars old

Someone in Pakistan is... Giving birth

Listening to music A wearied peasant turns on the radio and listens to a Pathanay Khan kaafi in some remote village after working hard in the fields from dawn till dusk; a young urban middle-class boy sings in tune to a Junoon song while simultaneously downloading Enrique Iglesias on his Ipod. Music remains an essential part of the lives of Pakistanis, irrespective of their class, ethnicity or creed, and the musical tradition of the sub-continent continues to be as diverse and energetic as its people.

Experiencing load-shedding

Bad management and problems with “circular debt” have led to a scenario where most of us have to do without electricity for long periods during the day. Over the years, this “load-shedding” has become ritualistic in Pakistan, and it seems to be getting worse with the passage of time. The power crisis is not only a bother for citizens but is also extremely damaging for local industries and businesses. Let’s hope the government takes note of this fast!

Playing cricket

Whatever else changes, it seems that a passion for cricket has always stayed alive in Pakistan. Without proper equipment and safe places to play the sport, Pakistanis will start a game of cricket anywhere - in parks, empty plots of land, and even on the streets. The celebrations around the country following Pakistan’s win in the T20 World Cup last year were a strong reminder of how cricket can help to lift our spirits and instil a sense of national pride, despite the difficult times we face.

A rapidly increasing population rate has now made Pakistan the sixth most populous country in the world. One in every 40 people today is a Pakistani, and roughly 63% of Pakistanis are below the age of 25. While this “youth bulge” represents enormous potential for the country, it’s crucial that we provide education, healthcare and job opportunities to accommodate our younger generations.

07:00PM Offering Namaaz Five times a day, across several thousand mosques dotted all over the country, the call to prayer can be heard. The muezzin’s voice pierces the familiar sounds in cities and villages and reminds people that it’s time to say their prayers. Shortly after, people are seen making their way to the local mosque, offering their prayers at home, or simply stopping to pray wherever they may be at the time.

Someone in Pakistan is... Giving birth

Experiencing load-shedding

Playing cricket

Pakistani society, after 62 years of existence, is said to be in a state of infancy

the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ seems in action here

But, besides all the pitfalls Pakistan may be facing, there are still rays of hope

Strong and sincere leadership as well as a hopeful and unwavering youth can help our country survive these trying times

The Urdu language is rarely preferred over English in the urban centres

WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD? In the contemporary world an individual possesses multiple identities at once

WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD? we are now a country and the ship has yet to sail

All these problems have been set off not because Pakistan is a poor country, but because it is a poorly managed country.

FUNDAMENTAL INCOHERENCE - WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD? Moiz Hussain Quaid e Azam University Through the study of anthropology and sociology, the foremost thing we learn about judging a society is how it is structured and formed on its institutions, and how these institutions work towards meeting the ends of the people in accordance with a normative framework established by setting moralities, values and standards. The configuration of culture and society is achieved through a careful process, which has a gradual and progressive evolution. Surprisingly, Pakistan does not seem to have followed such a track since its creation, nor to have conformed to such fundamental notions of societal development. Nowadays, it is akin to a ship sailing in turbulent times, carrying a hoard of different species which seldom inter-breed and mostly remain endogamous to their own niche cultural and religious circles. Uniting such a diverse bunch under one national flag has always been a great challenge for this state. Any such unification efforts have faced severe setbacks, not because people out here do not wish to work in unison, but due to serious problems stemming from political and economic destabilization, corruption in the administration and a dearth of able leadership that could steer the country in the right direction. All these problems have been set off not because Pakistan is a poor country, but because it is a poorly managed country. Pakistan is a unique case study in terms of its geographical position, where it borders and fuses

both the eastern and western world. The provinces on both the horizontal ends display a contrast of cultures, which have been fused to some extent with the help of religion. The basic essence of the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ seems in action here, but this has proved problematic as Islam itself is divided into various sects and schools of thought. This has created a complex new pattern of divisions: people already divided along ethnic lines get sub-divided due to varying religious associations. The growth of such division is a major cause of confusion among the masses, who are occupied in an ever-lasting conflict of ideologies and a consequent quest for identity. This situation has time and again been abused by certain extremist ideologues who have manipulated people for their own political motives. In the contemporary world an individual possesses multiple identities at once, where religious identity runs parallel with the national one, and usually it is hard to prioritize one identity to the exclusion of another. However, in the case of Pakistan, where severe religious divisions already exist, secular nationalism has also failed to unify society. A sense of nationalism and patriotism seems to slowly be dying in the hearts of people who do not seem to be very optimistic about the future of the country. The reasons for this depression are manifold, but to be brief I shall point out only a few that are causing fundamental challenges to our nation as a whole.

Pakistani society, after 62 years of existence, is said to be in a state of infancy, where it is yet to create a stable structure for its existence. The institutions of the country have also been in constant conflict with each other, be they political, administrative, social, economic, or religious; they have all been politicized and fallen prey to corruption. Furthermore, the essential elements, such as common language, shared-history and values which are responsible for structuring a society and creating a strong sense of nationhood, have themselves fallen apart in the changing times and imperialism of Western culture. This is mostly the case in urban centres rather than rural ones. For instance, the Urdu language is rarely preferred over English in the urban centres. Today’s urban generations have hardly been exposed to Urdu literature and are largely unaware of its glorious past and its wealth of indigenous wisdom. Instead, they seem to be most well-versed in English literature. While it is a valuable thing to have knowledge of popular literature from other languages, allowing a broadening of horizons and an introduction to new ideas, it is no justice to one’s own self if this is done at the expense of one’s own language, culture and literary traditions. On the other hand, parts of the population in rural areas are not even literate in Urdu, so they prefer and value their own indigenous languages. These languages also possess a great deal of history, wisdom and literary works, but these

are also ignored. This great rural-urban disparity is another cause of the problems in the country, as both thrive on somewhat conflicting ideologies. A few things that were collectively appreciated and were a source of pride to us as a nation have also slowly corroded due to corruption and commercialization. Sports such as hockey, squash, and snooker, which gave Pakistan international fame, are today in search of recognition and support by the Government and the people. Cricket itself has been highly politicized and has faced corruption charges. Pakistani electronic media, which was eye-candy in the past, has not been able to retain its quality and art in the wave of commercialization, in terms of film, theatre and drama that could identify social issues in an entertaining and effective manner. However, the good news here is that the boom of news channels has enabled the general public to become a great deal more informed than ever before. This is one accomplishment of Pakistani media, despite having lost most of its charm in recent times.

to the solutions? Either we lose hope and perish, or stand up and face the challenges. The times Pakistan is facing today are actually less tumultuous when compared to what many other nations have faced throughout history. We have the examples of the now developed Europe, China, Japan, and even the hegemon of these times - the United States; they have all suffered, struggled, survived and then risen to glory. The secret of survival and success in each of these cases has been a collective confidence in the future rather than a continuous reference to the darkness of the past. For us Pakistanis, strong and sincere leadership as well as a hopeful and unwavering youth can help our country survive these trying times. I would like to conclude with a verse in my mother tongue by the ‘Poet of the East’ Allama Iqbal. Little of his poetry may be followed nowadays, but I sincerely believe it contains the inspiration for all of us who aspire to progressive nation-building, positive change and a bright future for Pakistan.

But, besides all the pitfalls Pakistan may be facing, there are still rays of hope; there are ways in which problems can be solved, as we are now a country and the ship has yet to sail. Every state has its own unique set of problems; what matters eventually is the way they are dealt with. Do we learn lessons from our mistakes and move on, or do we keep repeating the same mistakes over and over, never paying heed

Pakistani society, after 62 years of existence, is said to be in a state of infancy

the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ seems in action here

But, besides all the pitfalls Pakistan may be facing, there are still rays of hope

Strong and sincere leadership as well as a hopeful and unwavering youth can help our country survive these trying times

The Urdu language is rarely preferred over English in the urban centres

WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD? In the contemporary world an individual possesses multiple identities at once

WHAT’S THE WAY FORWARD? we are now a country and the ship has yet to sail

All these problems have been set off not because Pakistan is a poor country, but because it is a poorly managed country.

BLOGGING AS THE DEMOCRAT’S

WEAPON OF CHOICE Yasser Latif Hamdani Editor of Pak Tea House For a struggling democracy like ours, blogging and the internet revolution presents itself as the great equalizer for civil society - that watchdog of democracy- against the wretched superstructure of an over-developed soft authoritarian state. Consider: During the dark days of emergency, when General Musharraf came down on electronic media like a ton of bricks, information was disseminated through blogspot, wordpress, facebook and twitter. Protest was not just out on the street, but was being played out with equal fervour in the cyber-world as well. The internet was unstoppable and the revolution need not have been televised. The most potent weapon in the arsenal of democracy today is the blogosphere, that unstoppable cyber-world which has taken on the role of a virtual Hyde Park where there was none. The real power of the blogosphere is its durability and timelessness. It is not confined to print, thus escaping the doom of being lost soon after. A blog need not be just another filler in a newspaper. Nor is it the exclusive preserve of self-obsessed and self-indulgent “columnists”. A blog post is usually just there taking a life of its own, being searched and researched continuously. What is more is that it is naqqara-e-khuda or the popular general will. Now you need not be dependent on some TV channel or newspaper pundit - the incorrigible Brahmins of media- to allow your voice to be heard loud and clear. Instantly you can express your point of view and find an audience of your choice. Even the most popular of newspapers has a circulation that shall soon only be a fraction of hits on a popular blogging site. We shall soon see the development of blog syndication and already we see all major newspapers and publications coming out with their own blog sites. PakTeaHouse.wordpress.com — - founded by author and activist Raza Rumi and maintained by this scribe — - is an example of a successful opinionated blogzine which now commands a rather large following. A liberal blog, our stated objective has been twofold — - to allow liberal and left leaning views fullest expression and to work towards a modern, progressive and strong Pakistan,

at peace both at home and abroad, as originally envisioned by the country’s founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The blogzine tackles all issues from women’s rights to the ‘war on terror’, and highlights everything from art and culture to the impact of cricket on society. And the world has taken note: from the New York Times to The Hindu everyone has covered PakTeaHouse. In this we have established our presence as Pakistan’s young, dynamic and globalist aspirants on the world stage, and more importantly, have let the world know that not all Pakistanis or all Muslims agree with the bankrupt misconceptions that are sold to them in the name of ideology and faith. It has also helped in changing the hackneyed monolithic view of Pakistan that is commonplace nowadays. By providing a space for dissenting voices and freethinkers, PakTeaHouse has created an image of Pakistan that contrasts sharply with what people elsewhere see on the media. Earlier this week, a renowned Indian business leader and a regular reader of PakTeaHouse wrote to me saying that he had no idea Pakistan was so modern and progressive. He thanked PakTeaHouse for opening his eyes and shattering his myths about the land. However, this is not our primary function. PakTeaHouse was there on the frontlines of protest when the government moved to sign the ‘nizam-e-adl’. We took to cyber-activism when the Gojra tragedy reminded us all of our primordial ugliness. We were there when an Indian politician threatened to cut off the heads of Muslims. We have supported causes popular and unpopular. We have spoken fearlessly and with conviction. In the process PakTeaHouse was bashed left right and center. The ‘left’ accused us of being ‘right-wingers’, while the right concluded that we were ‘Marxists’. Pakistan’s self appointed champions called us Indo-philes, secularists and ‘Uncle Toms’, while Indians decided we were rabid India-baiting Pakistani fanatics. This has been the truest testament to how we — a blog site run by a few part-timers — have come to play a vital role in denting the consciousness of all concerned. Bear in mind that blogging today is the greatest constitutional weapon of global democracy against oppression, injustice, inequity and persecution. It is democracy sans borders, and for a cause no less than a true ‘jihad’ for the uplift of humanity. A blogger is not on someone’s payroll; a blogger blogs because his conscience tells him or her to do so, because he is a sensitive soul, a patriot and/or a thinker. It is a selfless service to one’s true self. Now more than ever Pakistan needs young men and women to step forward and blog — for that alone will ensure a truly democratic Pakistan. So come join the revolution, for in the words of the immortal Faiz:

BLOGGING AS THE DEMOCRAT’S

Pakistan Young Leaders’

Conference 2010

Paving the Way Forward PAKSITAN YOUNG LEADERS’ CONFERENCE 2010

In February 2010, the National Union of Pakistani Students and Alumni (NUPSA) hosted the 2nd Pakistan Young Leaders’ Conference in Islamabad. NUPSA is now a well known body which aims to promote student unity, provide support and welfare a platform for Pakistani students from local and British universities to discuss, construct and communicate effective arguments for the betterment of the country. The conference has become a regular feature within the calendar following its 2009 success, which saw certain policy recommendations from the event incorporated into the Pakistani Constitution. The February 2010 event brought together outstanding young people from diverse regions across Pakistan to help develop their leadership skills so that they may flourish into the country’s future leaders. Through encouraging free debate, the scheme emphasised the role of the youth as potential national ambassadors and vehicles for change. The first two days of the conference were hosted in the National Library of Pakistan and featured eight committees which covered current issues of national importance. With an impressive array of over 20 universities in attendance,

the issues discussed ranged from terrorism to efficient Government accountability, quality of education, unemployment, the Balochistan situation, the important role of the media, and the role of Western countries in Pakistan. The enthusiasm of attendees was enhanced through the presence of renowned politicians such as Imran Khan (Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf), Ahsan Iqbal (Information Secretary for the PMLN), Azam Swati (Federal Minister for Science and Technology) and Mushahid Hussain (Secretary General PML – Q) recounting their personal experiences. Alongside these figures, Maajid Nawaz, founder of the social movement ‘Khudi’, addressed the audience and spoke about the need for delegates and wider society to promote a culture of democracy and actively work towards the change they want to see in Pakistan. He emphasised the vital role that youth can, and must, play in resolving national problems through collective action and civil society movements. The concluding day of the PYLC was hosted in the Convention Centre of Islamabad. The aim was to

replicate the model of the National Assembly, with eight committee members presenting their resolutions on topics which were discussed and agreed upon by the delegates. Draft resolutions were presented by each committee and all delegates were invited to scrutinize its contents and vote in favour or against its proposition. Those drafts which received a majority vote were formalised as NUPSA resolutions. The event closed with an award distribution ceremony for the best team, which on this occasion was presented to the National University of Science and Technology (NUST – EME). Most importantly, conference delegates were able to agree on a set of comprehensive resolutions. It was widely agreed that police reforms were vital, counterterrorism strategies required national review, Pakistan should assume a more sovereign role in determining its own internal and foreign affairs, headway should be made with the Kashmir issue, the country should adopt a CTL (Coal to Liquid) National Coal policy, agricultural land reforms should be implemented, and the media should assume greater responsibility for unbiased and effective reporting in order to maintain its role in positively defending the nation. It was also strongly felt

that the education system was in need of revision so as to encourage independent thought and debate rather than methodical rote learning. The resolutions, which will be published in booklet form, will be circulated widely to various Government departments, overseas embassies and major universities in Pakistan. Overall, PYLC 2010 was hailed as a resounding success by observers and participants alike, for it not only provided a much needed platform for youth discussion but also emphasised the dire need for a solutions-oriented approach. What made it even more remarkable was that it was an initiative that was conceived, organised and implemented entirely through the vision and hard work of its student organisers, who deserve appreciation for their efforts. Let’s hope that Pakistani youth continue to lead the way forward in strengthening our democracy through such inspiring initiatives!

For further details on the PYLC please visit http://pylc.co.uk

Pakistan Young Leaders’

Conference 2010

Paving the Way Forward PAKSITAN YOUNG LEADERS’ CONFERENCE 2010

For further details on the PYLC please visit http://pylc.co.uk

When Francis Bacon declared: “For friends... do but look upon good books: they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble” he was highlighting the immense value of books. Across Pakistan, many have lost sight of their cultural and literary worth. Despite being an atomic power, people have become distanced from printed novels, cast aside factual texts, and failed to recognize the allure of contemporary and historical literature. In a country that is struggling with poverty and illiteracy, we should ask whether a literary reawakening might provide a solution and help Pakistan make its mark on the global stage as a progressive and developed country. Once upon a time, our nation had a flourishing literary culture. There was a legacy of scholarship and an unrivalled poetic tradition that was fuelled by Persian writers. Mughal scholars prized their private libraries and people relished the Agra library, which housed 24,000 volumes. Even when books had to be transcribed by hand, people’s shelves abounded with texts and society perceived a large collection of books as a reflection of intellectual superiority and sophistication. This culture fostered the minds of the literati greats such as Bostan, Gulistan, Akhlaq-i-Jalali, Akhlaq-i-Nairi, and Anwari-Suhaili. Today, the situation is somewhat different. Many have turned their back on reading and few grasp the power of books to inspire, educate, and empower. Yet to remedy this, society should also consider the reasons behind this literary demise. Whilst libraries once littered the country,

Bibliography indicates that 477 English titles, 993 Urdu titles were published. If this trend continues and society fails to foster a culture of reading, we will forever be reliant upon books produced by the West. In more developed societies, reading is considered a hobby, a privilege undertaken at every opportunity — on the train, before bed, or on holiday. It feeds the mind and assures a presence of intellectuals and scholarly figures in a society; it also provides leaders for the nation in testing times and therefore secures the nation’s future. Reading also serves to better the individual. It opens our minds to the thoughts, knowledge, and experiences of others, it forces us to learn about the world around us. There are also numerous health benefits of book reading: it assists us when remembering details, facts and figures. It is also likely that our literary culture is plagued by a similar problem as our education system. An excessive emphasis on academic rote learning has denied children and students alike the opportunity to unearth their inspiration through the magic of books. Our schools and universities promote the benefits of certain textbooks against the backdrop of an exam driven syllabus which discourages individuals simply reading for reading’s sake. Across the country, too many are not able to think outside the box, because that box was never opened. Educational theory cements the value of capturing children’s imaginations as early as possible so as to cultivate individual thought. It is this literary escapism, an ability to empathize with characters, and the raw emotion that can come through the power of words which our society should work to foster. If we celebrate books, we will also promote intellectual pluralism and curiosity that will contribute to design and innovation.

Despite these challenges, it would be wrong to suggest that Pakistan was an anomaly in experiencing a national decline in book reading. The country has been swept up in the international cyber-trend. The internet is a gateway to articles, newspapers, poetry and snippets of books. It can be seen as a virtual library harboring a vast range of digitalized literature which remains at the readers’ constant disposal via the mere click of a button. In many ways, the internet has engendered a reading revolution. The reader can now read words written by individuals around the world in the comfort of their home. It is contemporary and fast paced. Readers can not only read, they can discuss and debate through comment sections and blogs. Although the internet may have beneficial features, the book remains the oldest form of mass media and boasts much that the internet lacks. Books can be collected, their pages can be folded, and copies can be exchanged and recommended to friends. There is even evidence to suggest that the reader absorbs more information if it is on paper rather than a screen. Even if the excitement of a book does not resonate with some, it is the general culture of reading which must be encouraged. Yet, how is this to be achieved? There is much reason for hope. Across Pakistan, there are hints that a slow but gradual literary revival is occurring. Book sales are increasing and efforts are being made to promote the virtues of reading. In March of this year, the Karachi Literature Festival was a roaring success attracting over 3,000 avid literary fans. Innovative methods of promoting literature should be continued and rolled out across all four provinces. In addition, society has started to produce authors

THE FADING CULTURE OF BOOKS A THREAT TO THE ‘INTELLECTUAL FUTURE’ OF PAKISTAN Zain Nabi and Imran Khan Karachi University

today they are numbered and their role is associated more with academic scholarship, learning, and attaining qualifications than pleasure and personal betterment. One local schoolteacher explained that this perception of libraries has resulted in people not viewing their quiet aisles and empty desks as places for enjoyment. Instead, libraries are deemed austere and reading within them has become a dull process rather than a means of imaginative escapism. In other parts of the world, libraries are bustling hubs of activity. Students work in groups, read intently in silence, and libraries remain open around the clock. There are also practical factors which have inhibited the popularity of reading. The cost of paper and printing has risen which has increased the cost of books. This could be one of the reasons behind why publishers seem reluctant to print volumes on social sciences, history and other informative subjects. We should all take note of this challenge, for the end result is likely to be a decline in scholarly and high quality literary titles as publishers seek higher profit margins from the books on popular subjects. Similarly, with the literacy rate as low as 50% in some regions, Pakistan remains an unattractive market for writers and publishers alike as low capital returns are likely. Indeed, statistics confirm this: in 2007, Canada published 50,000 new titles, whilst China published around 200,000 new titles. In the US 291,920 new titles were published in 2007. In contrast, in 2007, the Pakistan National

who have reaped praise and success at the international level. Muhammad Hanif has inspired readers worldwide with his ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’ and has received several high-profile awards. Authors such as this should be celebrated and their efforts to foster a native literary tradition that draws on Pakistani history, culture and identity pursued with vigor. There is also a need for increased investment. As The President of the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA), Professor Athar Hussain, exclaimed: “I have been to Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other places where the majority of libraries are under government ownership, but here, the government disowns libraries.” It is this funding and national pride towards our libraries that must be enhanced. Libraries have been neglected and stolen books have never been replaced. In the 80s and 90s the institution of the library was upheld with the creation of the Liaquat National Memorial Library in Karachi and the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad. Since then however, literary fans and academics have been dependent upon libraries located at the American Consulates or the British Council for contemporary works. To reverse the diminishing book reading culture, the Government must invest in the country’s libraries in order to invest in its people’s future. It is only when a book reading culture is promoted, society is encouraged to imagine, inspired to engage, and enticed into independent thought, that Pakistan may earn its rightful place in an increasingly developed and globalized world.

THE FADING CULTURE OF BOOKS A THREAT TO THE ‘INTELLECTUAL FUTURE’ OF PAKISTAN Zain Nabi and Imran Khan Karachi University

REVOLT AGAINST HISTORY

The Story of Punjab University’s Greatest Student Uprising Rab Nawaz Punjab University On 14 November 2007, Punjab University witnessed a series of events that was unprecedented in the history of the institute. In the paragraphs that follow, I shall recount the causes, dynamics and outcome of these events. Apart from being the country’s largest university, Punjab University also boasts a rich academic and social history. With three Nobel Laureates emerging from its ranks, it has been a symbol of sustained excellence in Pakistan and a centre of anti-authoritarian and progressive student activism, with a strong culture of freedom of speech. Alumni from this institution have gone on to become leaders of this country. However, over the previous three decades the University seems to have lost many of these traits. Academic standards are poor, bearing witness to a number of cases of plagiarism. With the examination system demanding hardly anything other than rote learning, there appears to be an alarming absence of research culture and consideration of updated subject knowledge. But the most important feature of this is the repressive social policing, which strictly monitors any deviance from narrowly construed moral and social standards. These standards often determine not only co and extra-curricular content, but in some cases, the curriculum itself. With a few exceptions, most social spaces have been hijacked due to this

issue. The real problem with this environment is an apparent compliance of the administration and students, most probably owing to the supposedly ‘moral’ element of such sanctions. Basically, this compliance factor is the most important element for analysis. Is it genuine compliance or merely a tactical gesture adopted for survival? A keen observation of campus life immediately leads in favour of the latter, although for several years there used to be a sense of denial surrounding this issue. Those in government and the media perhaps felt it was an issue not worth bothering with at all. One explanation of this has been the state’s apathetic attitude towards good governance, while another is the potential threat posed by such hooligan elements. The latter has particularly affected the media, the alumni and the students in varying degrees. As a result, scores of incidents of harassment and beatings on campus by self-proclaimed moral and social custodians would seldom make the news. However, a vivid and undeniable example of the Punjab University students’ version of reality became evident after 14 November 2007. The events took place as follows. On 3 November 2007, emergency rule was declared in Pakistan. Political parties, civil society activists, journalists and students began protesting in full force and faced severe repression as a result. Against their precedent,

students from Punjab University by and large adopted an attitude of indifference to the situation – but this was soon to change. The famous cricketer politician Imran Khan visited the University in hope of rallying students against emergency rule. Before he could do this, however, he was bullied, detained and handed over to the police by certain students, who thought his visit was an ‘illegal’ entry into their zone. Confusion over the situation and heavy police deployment on campus hindered students from an immediate reaction, but as the facts became clear by evening, a spark was ignited in the dormant fuel of anger within the student body. The following day, without any prior plans and intentions a group of students from Law College started chanting slogans. They were soon joined by scores of other students from the College, who together started walking across the premises in an energetic pace, their number multiplying rapidly as they continued to chant. Emotions of anger, exuberance and even fear ran like an electric current through the ever-swelling ranks of the protesting students, but the participants kept on moving. The five thousand strong rally visited the whole campus to protest against the repressive atmosphere in Punjab University that they had been witness to for several years.

The day after proved even more challenging due to late night threats that had been received. Nevertheless a greater number of students, estimated at around eight to ten thousand, turned out to protest with renewed zeal. The day ended with a sit-in before the Vice Chancellor’s office, with students demanding immediate action from the authorities. A few more days of such activity involving similar numbers of students resulted in the Vice Chancellor’s announcement that the stated demands would be fulfilled. Some remarkable features of the movement included female participation (a rare spectacle in Punjab University), anti-dictatorship and anti-emergency slogans, a diverse array of participants ranging from conservative religious factions to communists, and fearlessness, despite the continuing threats and potential problems. It bore the elements of a typical revolt at the micro level, with traits like sudden, unplanned and fearless outbursts against authoritarianism and repression that were continually sustained till the goals were achieved. Student demands included an overall change of the campus environment, ranging from the administration’s attitude to hostel activities. All the while, of course, freedom of dissent, speech and assembly were the implied demands.

Despite its historic leading role in student activism, the Punjab University has no other example of such a mass movement. Decades of exploitation and suppression were slapped back. Those who lived this experience describe it as romantic and memorable, while those who observed from outside call it marvelous. Along with massive newspaper coverage, it invited a lot of well-known writers with direct or indirect past experiences with Punjab University to express their critical views in popular media. As a result of the protests, immediate action was taken in the form of some expulsions and disciplinary measures. An environment allowing greater personal freedoms slowly crept in. Various new student organizations started working on campus and some previously suspended co-curricular activities were restored. Most of the movement’s goals seemed to have been achieved, but this success soon turned out to be short-lived – an outcome that was predicted by some senior political activists.

which were substantially insufficient. Since then, such incidents have once again started occurring in the university, and students once again find themselves being intimidated on campus. Although such behavior is restricted to certain elements and has consistently failed to gain mass support from the student body, an effective alternative platform for students is still missing. Students themselves can hardly be blamed for this, their struggles being witness to the fact that they have done more than could be expected from them despite decades of state sponsored de-politicisation. Unfortunately, against all the recent atrocities, official silence over Punjab University’s situation seems to be an expression by the Government of want of evidence, with the authorities being too handicapped to take note of the 14 November student protests. And so the sad fact remains that like most revolutions, the revolution of 14 November 2007 has been betrayed not by its leaders but by the state itself.

After a period of relative calm, the recently activated student organizations started being victimised. Several incidents of beating and harassment occurred, culminating in an extremely brutal attack on a dozen students on 12 December 2008, where some of the victims were even shot in the legs. The administration reacted to these events with disciplinary actions

REVOLT AGAINST HISTORY