This is the story of Tazeen and Imran Khan. It tells us how some people grow up and realize things are not what they seem to be and how some other people regress and become abysmally dense.
1992
Tazeen is a super excited kid. She is one of those kids who will get the chance to meet one of her all time favourite heroes Imran Khan. Not only will she meet him, she will be awarded a badge (along with a goody bag with Imran Khan’s autographed poster) which says, ‘Imran's Tigers’ because Tazeen has raised sufficient amount of funds for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (a trust founded by Imran Khan) by selling raffle tickets. So determined was Tazeen to earn that 'Imran's Tigers' badge that she twisted the arm of her mother’s jeweler (a Memon Seth of all the people) and sold him a good 100 raffle tickets. Tazeen was ecstatic when she received her badge and shook hands with Imran Khan. Much to her mother’s chagrin, she plastered Imran Khan’s autographed poster in her room for next two years.
1996
Imran Khan launches a political party. Tazeen is no longer a child and is a bit skeptical about Imran Khan’s political future, but she has complete faith in the man. After all, Imran Khan is one of those very few Pakistanis who excelled at whatever they did (cricket, philanthropy, fund raising etc) and she thought politics would be the same.
2002
Tazeen is just out of school, a fresh faced journalist working for a newspaper, and is excited about being able to vote for the first time. She has plans about voting for Mr. Imran Khan’s party. Just before elections, she gets the chance to attend an event hosted in honor of Mr Imran Khan by some women in media group. Imran Khan spoke at length about the importance of justice and fair play. Tazeen is suitably impressed and asks Mr. Khan about his party’s stance on CEDAW. CEDAW is a UN Convention for Eradication of Discrimination Against Women which was signed by People’s Party government, but no further legislation was carried out at either national or provincial level to to modify the laws in accordance with CEDAW. Mr. Khan first asks his associate what CEDAW is. For a politician who is running an election campaign and is talking exclusively with women journalists, it is a gaffe of the highest order. The associate turns out to be just as clueless about CEDAW as Mr. Khan. When Tazeen explains what CEDAW is and asks Mr. Khan about his policy to redress the discriminatory laws, he refuses to acknowledge that there are any discriminatory laws against women in Pakistan. When Tazeen points out Hudood Ordinance, he says that Huddod laws are necessary to keep the morality of people in check. Tazeen is highly disturbed and a little sad at the degeneration of her childhood hero.
2003-04
Tazeen is in England, studying for her Masters degree. Imran Khan got divorced and the news is plastered all over, from respectable newspapers such as Guardian and Times to tabloids such as Sun and Daily Mirror. Everyone had an opinion about it, including Tazeen's Greek & Philippino flatmates. Someone said that Imran Khan mistreated his wife. Tazeen defended Imran Khan's honor and that of her country and refused to believe that Ms. Khan was mistreated by anyone in Pakistan, including her former husband.
2006
Tazeen has all but given up on Imran Khan. A man who once asked Junoon to come up with Ehtesab anthem (a song about accountability of politicians in Pakistan) which took pot shots at BB, Zardari and Nawaz Sharif now takes his political cues from the same Man of Steel (that’s Nawaz Sharif for the uninitiated) and follows an extremely right wing political ideology (if it can be called that).
2007
Tazeen visibly cringes every time Imran Khan appears on Hamid Mir’s talk show and says, “Hamad, tumhain naheen pata, main batata hoon.” (Hamid, you don’t know anything, let me tell you how it all goes).
2008
Tazeen is invited to present a paper at an International symposium on Democracy. Imran Khan is chairing a session. Although it had nothing to do with the session he was chairing, Imran Khan first regaled every one with tales of courage & valor of Justice Iftekhar Chaudhry and then about the impeccable justice system of jirga courts operated by tribes across the country. (Jirga is a council of influential and rich men of a certain tribe who settle disputes amongst themselves. Most often, these disputes are settled through cash payments or through marrying off young girls to men of inappropriate age and/or character as compensation for a crime committed).
Tazeen is neither a super excited kid, nor a fresh faced journalist who is easily impressed by a celebrity. Tazeen is now a cynic par excellence and asks Mr. Khan how can he support independent judiciary and an alternative justice system of jirga court. Aren’t they mutually exclusive? Imran Khan apparently mistook Tazeen for Hamid Mir (although she looks nothing like the infamous Hamid Mir and does not sport a moustache) and says, “Bibi apko kuch naheen pata, main batata hoon.” (bibi, you don’t know anything, let me tell you how it all goes). Tazeen has had enough of Imran Khan and his relentless support for jirga. She intercepts and says, “But Khan Sahib, how can you support a system which institutionally excludes women and poor men from the decision making process?” Imran Khan loses it at that and lashes out at Tazeen. He is red in his face and foaming at the corners of his mouth and says, “Bibi, you stopped me in mid sentence, that’s bad tameezi (bad manners) and I don’t talk to bad tameez (ill mannered) people.”
2009
Tazeen now thinks that Imran Khan is not even a real politician. He is a “Made for TV Politician” who is only good at riling other people in political discussion or telling Hamid Mir that is he is a nincompoop and does not know anything. Tazeen believes that Imran Khan would start doing hair implant infomercials in future which would go something like this:
Main pehlay buhat ganja tha jis ki wajah se kaafe pareshan rehta tha, meri biwi bhi mujhe chor ke chalee gayee, phir mujhe kisi ne Azmat Nai se baal lagwanay ka mashwara diya, bas main forun hi Azmat Nai ke paas gaya ……
Moral of the story: For better or for worse, everything changes.
This post has way too many Desi references and people outside Pakistan & India may not even get it. Many apologies for that.
.
171 comments:
Azmat Nai? Is there a relevant controversy/story that makes him famous too?
Wouldnt his hair transplant ad go like this:
"Aap humare ghane, kaale baalon ka raaz dhoondh rahe hain?
Aapko kuch nahin pata, main batata hoon..."
I knew it.
my idea for a hair implant infomercial has some merit. Both the comments are about the infomercial. No one gives a jack about either Tazeen or Imran Khan
“Hamad, tumhain naheen pata, main batata hoon.” would correctly be translated as (Hamid, you don’t know, let me tell you).
:P
people change and we grow up. and these are not mutually exclusive.
ive lost so many heroes along the way i dont know who to believe in anymore.
and history was written by mortals, so that cant be trusted either.
I somehow get the feeling you don't like Imran Khan.
I never really knew that Mr. Khan was such a, well...such a pukka Pathan till I read that very enlightening coversation you chaos had with the elusive Mr. O.
*chaos=chaps
uff tazeen. you're FUNNTASTIC!
omg!! awesome!! ;D
Trinna and Annie,
thanks a lot people.
Hades,
After going through this 16 year long saga, do you still blame me?
Nothing personal but you have a very acute case of “Growing up and looking at the world through adult eyes and not liking everything you see as it does not fit the profile of your childhood dreams ” syndrome. Please don’t take me wrong as I don’t know you personally and my intent is not to insult or mock you personally but I am merely expressing my two cents on your personal blog. (My comments and 50cents are worth a cup of coffee). Perhaps it may enlighten you.
Yes by reading your blog it appears that you had idealized and perhaps even worshiped a man who was once your childhood hero and who you had once placed at the highest pedestal of values all your innocent life. But once you had disagreement of minds or philosophies you were extremely disheartened or sad initially but now you are extremely angry and bitter.
Listen things like these happen everyday as we are human. Don’t associate extremely high values with mortals as there are several imperfection embedded in the DNA purposely. (That’s a whole different discussion). The real objective is to move on and deal with it without getting even. Unconditional love and devotion exits but most of the time it is one way.
If you don’t like few things about your childhood hero, fine, admit and accept and move on. Name bashing and mud feast is not the way to deal with it. Life is all about choices and very often we may make a wrong choice and have to live with it regardless of us liking it or not. But realize the hero of your childhood is a mortal and may have made wrong choices but don’t judge him for not knowing what an organization is.
Disagreements and difference of opinions are a fact of life. Don’t change your hero of several years based on that. Judge him for his good as well.
By the way who is Imran Khan
Wow, Tazeen - I just would say, Power to Women Education. I guess that's what made you a a cynic par excellence .
Though I'm from India, even I thought that Imran Khan seemed to be a good honest man. I used to wonder why isn't he getting his place in Pakistan Politics.
I'm actually intrigued as to why doesn't democracy ever suceed in Pakistan and keep asking my colleagues (who are from Pakistan) about it. But slowly and gradually however, I'm becoming cynical about the so called democracy in our own country as well.
The post even struck me because of the similar kind of romanticism I've had about the BJP in our country. I rooted for them when Vajpayee contested for PM...
Alas, everything changes.
love the post. then i read the comment by Grid Lock who went into a long ramble about how you should learn to deal with childhood heroes gone bad.
i was going to rush into a spirited account of how Imran Khan's mistakes are preventing the honest public discourse of a war which is ripping us apart, that his beliefs are providing cover to the worst bigots pakistan has produced (and that takes some doing) that the man is undermining our belief in all politicians by becoming such a dick himself...
then i read the last line. "who is imran khan?"
ignorance, is seriously, bliss.
seems more like a case of personal grudge, evolved during the years, since he failed to have knowledge of CEDAW. Earlier he was a hero, a perfect human being for you and now he is someone whose opinion on anything is wrong. Neither of these positions are sensible
He has a double personality as far as I can say. Lets just compare his personal life style & his public views. The difference is a big question mark.
I don't want to see him in power.
Idol-worship is for most of us a childhood phenomenon, so the heroes of our respective childhoods are bound to fall one way or the other, except of course most of them have better sense than to jump into politics when they obviously can't make it there. Its not the fault of the idol but usually of the idolater. No man or woman should be done the injustice of being made into an idol.
From the writing here I surmise that you disagree with Imran Khan's politics and are not impressed with his public speaking abilities or his grasp of the subject (or subjects) he is dealing with. You have the right to disagree as much as he has the right to have his views and to do his politics and as much as Mr Zardari has the right to be President. After all its democracy we hold oh-so-sacred here, isn't it?
I had a similar progression - where I used to hero-worship Imran Khan as a kid and now think he's horrid at politics. I do think that he's done a lot in terms of his charitable work though - between Namal College and his hospital, and now he's actually starting a sasteh tandoor idea which subsidizes chapatis etc. for the poor. His problem is that his politics are way to idealistic - do you think that's why he appeals to the youth so much? Not saying every young person is idealistic, but sometimes we get carried away with rhetoric without thinking how it could be applied in practice.
all fans or apologists of Imran Khan, please watch this interview of his on Kal Tak and explain how his political views differ from say Qazi Hussain Ahmed's:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4345829189462841860&hl=en
nusrat, yeah I am sure you also agree with the ISI chief that the Taliban calls for jihad should also be respected as free speech.
Lolz, tou yeh story hai. I had been waiting for this for weeks. :)
really liked this post.. especially the bit about made for tv politicians.. im sure u cud spot a few of those in the subcontinent too.. does pakistan also have actors turned politician? india has loads of those...
Lol, I enjoyed this post! I had an aunt who was a die-hard fan of Imran Khan, because, she told me, when Zia ul Haq declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims, he said that no one had the right to decide who was Muslim and who was not.
Lolz. Brilliant post!
Imran Khan stinks! ;D
Sadly, this happens to every childhood hero! :-(
And I wouldn't have gotten most of the references, but you explained them well!
Tazeen.....on this blog, I might have read wittier or more caustic posts, but this is by far the most important one, and needless to say, the most brilliant, by far......
Btw, I don't know if you have been following the Sanjay Dutt saga, or his decidedly ill-advised foray into politics..... but I've been feeling something similar to what you felt here....
& when idols fall !!
thanks for the post tazeen.
imran khan is just an attention-seeker.
but seriously very few have heard of CEDAW and i often get confused looks when i talk about discriminatory laws in our country.
oh and i like it when you share your experiences as a journalist in pakistan, and bring fuckwittery like this to light.
that Imran Khan must know about CEDAW is the stupidest thing i have ever heard!
i admire you a notch less now :(
I too had similar experience with Qaumi Ithehad, coalition against Zulfi Bhutto, of the 70s. For me the fascination ended much much sooner when I learned that Mullahs will be limiting TV programming, which given that PTV was the ONLY local channel, spotty reception of Doordershan Kender was not really much of an option. I was totally shocked to also learn that Mullahs will also be going after closure of co-education schools in Lahore... Sicne then, Pakistan has been one disappointment after another...
Tez, it's always fun to read your posts - keep it up!
Cheers!
-Zoobee
He is a pathan(pashto speaking) what do you expect?
“Bibi, you stopped me in mid sentence, that’s bad tameezi (bad manners) and I don’t talk to bad tameez (ill mannered) people.”
LOL no wonder he was so pissed at MQM in all those tv programs... they frekin drive him nuts...
A saga indeed.... i wish i had Imrans email... i would send him this and make him choke on his morning toast..brown off course.
Well done Tez...back in business i see :)
LOL... :) That was a good one !!!
At least fifteen years ago he used to be a good-looking prick
But prick he always was, I'm sure. The 'Hamad main tumhey batata hoon' and 'Bibi ap badtameez hain' are echoes of an ego the size of a football, one that's been nurtured all his life. Methinks he's 1.victim of that football 2. victim of a misguided idealism and 3. victim of a late middle age crisis. Now he just seems terribly angry at his one big sneering failure in life, and thus, perhaps desperate?
I too have a smaller, less dramatic tcf story about him. But us nonprofit folk forgive and forget as long as the powers that be let our schools be. (waisay Tazeen BIBI, aap and the cricketers just don't go together, remember? tee hee)
I agree with your point of view and the discouragement that you faced, but you shouldn't humiliate him/or anyone if he doesn't fit in your perfect canvas. Making fun of someone like Zardari is legal but I certainly didn't like the Hair Joke and all that. Quite appalling.
Sigh. I actually like the guy. This was ... disappointing.
It is sad when we realise our childhood heroes aren't exactly heroic.
Ugh... I think politics and politicians suck big time. We need a pied piper of hamelin kind of person to take them all away@
Wah Wah !!!
Hilarious, brilliant, above all in the end it made Tazeen hate Imran Khan.
Aaarghhhh I always hated him.
Haha, good one. I never like Imran Khan after he went against Mush.
Khatmal,
Ignorance might be bliss, but there is not excuse for stupidity. I hyper linked Imran Khan's wikipedia page and It would have made more sense if Grid lock had clicked on that before lecturing me on my bitterness for fallen idols.
For the record, even as a kid, i was smart enough not to worship him.
Umair,
You write this:
"that Imran Khan must know about CEDAW is the stupidest thing i have ever heard!
i admire you a notch less now :("
Believe me when I say this: Being admired was never my target, especially those who think that knowledge of discriminatory legislation is not necessary for a man who was asking for my votes so that he can go to the assembly and form laws that affect me and half the population of the country.
Yes, I do expect a lot from those who ask for my vote because i value my vote. Is that a bad thing?
Haroon,
I consider Imran Khan more dangerous than Zardari for one simple reason.
A corrupt person can change but a stupid person will not become smart overnight. Add a super inflated ego to that and we have a deadly combination.
PS: Its my space, if I feel like calling him names, I will. After all, Imran Khan has called a fellow MNA kutta and naukar on ARY Oneworld. I am a lot more civilised than that.
PPS: Imagine how smart a man must be who thinks calling someone a naukar is gali.
Aditya, Kulsoom, Sawj, Rakesh, the other Imran, Ayesha and the rest who liked the post,
thanks a lot.
FaisalK,
Its good to be back :)
Rabia,
You are my knight/knightess in the shining armour, you always come to my defense.
Agreed.
I have been following this thread from the top & read it silently I must say there is limit to blindness. how illogically u used personal animosity to defame IK .It is not so difficult to reply to you as neither history, nor logic, nor do facts support you. It looks to me as if you are in complete spell of your own. Only when you wake up from dream you realize that world was unreal.
Who in current political leaders can speak half the standard IMRAN does? ?
The feudal nawaz ?
The swiss wolf benazir ?
The bhatta khor ALTAF?
or the GHQ DOG mush ?
None
I guess for the sake of argument already assumed that whatever you say about his imran khan stand is true. my comparison was his score from 100 ( considering top ten requirements) VS any others score from 100.
In that if you have 10 points for affiliation toward right wing parties, he surely gets a ZERO, suppose. But dont you think he will win most of the rest of 90?
His actions may contradict his words due to lack of experience in the field of politics or due to his uncontrollable conviction, human weaknesses.. but certainly not due to hypocricy (munafiqat). We shouldnt expect a Prophetic behaviour from a political leader.
Over the last many years i watched so many interview/debate or program on TV. I have seen all his interview & have observed a good fast conversion from innocent IMRAN (in politics) to sensible politicians who at least talks decently & conveys his point in comparatively more appropriate manner than any other, at least 10 times better than the lie ministers of MUSH,corrupt ministers of Zardari,Qatil of MQM,Foreign funded liberals or Fake Maulvi. I can safely say that ( and to my own surprise who opposed him in 1996 when he joined politics) not only IMRAN on any day is a better man to be called a politician than any.
Can anyone bring one name among the rest of politicians who have one 1 percent of what IMRAN has done for this land?.
Forget his CRICKET. Just look at the way he is trying to build pakistan for poor & ignored. After Shaukat he is on his way to build NAMAL College/University & he plans to build a hospital in KARACHI after this. He has many other plans in mind (not disclosed yet). Just consider this & all other politicians fail flat.
What they did for Pakistan? Plunder, rob, kill people, terrorize opponents, act like a parasite on this nation, feed the feudal ARMY thugs. What else?. Is there any single landmark these goons have achieved for this land ?
But i gue. Imran is actually too pure, comparatively and thats why we keep on digging his personal life and all that.
Instead of thanking GOD that at least a man with reputation and honour entered a dirt ( in PAK ) like politics what we are doing is reminding him of his weak points & dragging his leg out of politics.
If IMRAN goes out of politics, do we honestly believe any chance of any other GOOD GUY joining politics in future ?
Around 11 years ago, when he was saying that we need and independent judiciary which will solve many of our problems, many of us didn’t understand but we acknowledge it in current scenario.
Give credit to the man for his vision that he stuck to a slogan which was not that popular like roti ,kapra ,makkan but was more effective for solving the national problems.
what baffles me is the amount of dhitaai you guys show when you talk about tolerance, enlightenment & peace. You don't have an iota of patience to listen to rash remarks by an Opponent, Imran in this case.
Enough said,
Peace
First of all, i think you're being too emotional on this Imran Khan's case for obvious reason. Turtle's advice to Panda might just do the thing for you, he said, "Your mind is like this water when it is agitated it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle the answer becomes clear" have you seen Kung Fu Panda, if not scratch it.
Khair, in a nut shell, No body's perfect. I personally like Imran Khan as a politician because he's lesser evil, in my opinion. Having said that in the case of Jirga, did you ask him why he supported the concept, guess not? In my opinion he must have a solid backing for whatever he says and does, that's what has made him, THE IMRAN KHAN. Yet i don't expect him to be PERFECT. He maybe wrong, he maybe right, sometimes, just like us. humans do. Just because he's Our hero doesn't make him divine. Give the guy a benefit of doubt at least!
And making fun of someone like Imran Khan like this doesn't suit your status. :)
stay beautiful!
Moral of the story: To err is human.
You know I am forwarding this to all my PTI friends.
this makes me think of me and shahrukh khan...
Deewana (1992) .... Raja Sahai and everyone boasting of how dashing Rishi Kapoor is and i stood firm on WOW this guy has something and I think I wanna marry him.
2000... i still think he is the best and I want to pursue marriage thoughts.
2009... aaaaaa thank God some wishes are mere wishes!
That is My Tazzyyy
people like you make the world a place you can live in
way to go Tazeen!
ah i wish i saw the jerk`s face DDD
Adia
Faiq,
Facts did not support me. What makes you think I was filing an investigative report where i needed to state facts?
You are a live example as to who does Imran Khan appeal to. He calls people names so did you (swiss wolf benazeer and bhatta khor and GHQ Dog) I, a rational personal on the other hand consistently used civilized language. Thinking for yourself does that to you.
Leemz,
I did not make fun of Imran Khan, in case you failed to notice, i was lamenting the loss of a role model. Just because I chose humor as a tool to narrate my woe does not mean i was poking fun at him or anyone else for that matter.
tazeen you is wrong. you thinked that because you is gud in englush you can fly jokes of SIR IMRAN KHAN??!! he is roll model for us because his cricket is good and he is say truth to that mqm man altaf. also he is not stealer like nawaz n zardari...
bottom line, tazeen, our people don't seem to grow up. don't waste your breath - or depreciate your keyboard - explaining yourself.
cheers. :)
Artificial Intelligence,
I hope your PTI friends would not take out supari (death contract for the uninitiated) in my name. I want to live a little longer if possible.
Adina,
He is not really a jerk, or as big a jerk as you think he is, but he is a right wing politician and we have enough of them in Pakistan.
We expected better from him because he is an Oxford graduate. I guess in some cases, college education is wasted.
People,
Adina is my friend from Romania and she does not know Imran Khan. Please don't take your anger out on her.
Adina is my friend from Romania and she does not know Imran Khan. Please don't take your anger out on her.
Well, most hot blooded females wouldn't call him a jerk after seeing just his face!
Hades,
Girls, I am afraid, are a lot more discerning these days. In any case, you gotta be into older men and an obscurantist to boot in order to fall for his charms.
I think the thing about CEDAW is that once you clarified for him what it was, he became even 'stupid-er.'
I really don't understand where that man stands on anything.
Arre give me some benefit of doubt, copywriter in me saw the ad first!
I am not supposed to make serious, sensitive comments you see...
i have sold few of those raffle tickets too you gave me. but dont you think the hospital is doing a fine job? atleast fans of imran claim this.
i have a simple rule for judging a man. if a man is using hair color to look young or good, he's a fake. its my personal rule and it works fine for me. not subtle but very effective. iftikhar chaudry and imran khan happened to fall in this category. so as far as my judgment is concerned these two gentlemen will have to bear with my prejudice. but just because aitezaz isn't using hair color, i can't call him my hero.
well for people who think that imran khan is a man and has the right to do or say whatever he pleases then please apply the same rule on us so we can enjoy our right of insulting people who are fake, atleast in our eyes.
Amazing post, I'm a neighbor of yours and frankly I have no clue.
I think I'm gonna subscribe.
Bonjour Tazeen,
That was a fascinating story to read and to think over. Your posts about Pakistan help me to understand the country more than anything else I have access to.
True, you were a bit lazy by not translating the last lengthy phrase
but the gist of all that is quite clear.
It's a great chance that you decided to come back from England and her fleshpots to give these vivid descriptions.
I won't comment on this "politician" I heard of here for the first time. Just take the liberty to repeat the golden dictum (golden for me) "every country has the politicians it deserves".
Cheers, Tazeen
Georg
I don't know about Imran Khan, but I went to school with Jemima and I have to say she's damn cute. But sadly ditsy. "How did I spend all those years with Imran, I wonder.."
aww. things always change when reality hits. its awesome that you spoke out.
Imran Khan is irrational and impatient...but for me, those aren't qualities that disqualify him for being the best (out of the worst?) that we could have.
No, I won't join PTI but I will support him for being somewhat idealistic and foolish because I am the same way...
Sorry, Tazeen...don't mean to offend you and whatever he said to you was totally uncalled for...but maybe he could channel that agression into change?
Stop giving certificate of civlised or uncivilised like taliban and sorry to say i cant act like a civlised person when previous leaders rob pakistan so much that it is in brink of destruction.
Convince people with logic.
i didnt bother to comment on ur post untill u wrote this "I consider Imran Khan more dangerous than Zardari "wow what logic it is if someone is not agree on my point then start defame him stuck in the trivialities of character assassination.(this is what i call left wing extremist exactly act like taliban no tolerance to understand other point of view)To compare him with politicians like zardari for whom polotics is a source of fulfillment of personal desires,is his insult for him.
Imran khan has not been able to win, but at least there is someone who is speaking truth and it is obvious that he wants to do better things and clearly has failed to do so, but we should analyze it and help him coz our next generation will ask us the questions if we fail too.
Although feeling of doing somethyng for Pakistan was dug deep in the heart of people like me, Imran Khan gives a glimmer of hope, rekindles the spirit burried in the hearts and no one focuse abt his personal life,hair style,his way of talking. i am not interested in Imran Khan, his playboy status, or anythyng. i am interested in following a man who is trustworthy and can make a turn around for the nation, be it Imran Khan, be it M.A.Jinnah, be it nelson mandela!!
Fortunately or unfortunately the man we have trusted is Imran Khan.
he was and still is only celebrity whom we overseas Pakistani proud of.he has carved a special place for himself in the conscience of an ordinary Pakistani.
Hi i read this with interest. When i was young I saw Imran come in to bowl at the stadium. It was his first match. Iwasn't impressed. I saw Majid Khan, Mushtaq Muhammad, Viv richards, Bedi and at the time I was not even interested in cricket so much, but we all went to the stadium. Those were the golden days of Karachi,sunshine,safety,girls freely going to matinee,riding motorcycles on beach,very nice,less population,Pechs school,my school.We were into peace,love,beatles,hippies and then rolling stones!Ideology was Pakistan ,plain and simple.Religion was what you were born into!Hindus and Christians were just like us muslims with two legs, a single nose and amind,believe me just like you and me!Now about Imran! He bowled well for Pakistan.Always had a new girl over the weekend.Well at least as shown in pictueres in newspapers. I have seen fifty ,believe me.When he married the lovely and oh so young Jemima, I thought typical male chauvenist Pakistani man. Young rich,probably virgin girl! I always knew his mentality.Then come in the fat nosed ex- ISI guy and you should see the Islamic,(hotch potch ) articles written by Imran. Well his Shaukat Khanum is a good cause. I fully back this. but politics,this is not his cup of tea. As for Zardari ,he is doing alright, see my hubby's blog Development Pakistan ,you can get the link from the blogs I follow. He is a writer and expert.
Faiq,
you write very long and incoherent comments, i suggest you should only comment when you are not as angry as you seem to be right now.
//he was and still is only celebrity whom we overseas Pakistani proud of.he has carved a special place for himself in the conscience of an ordinary Pakistani.///
Speak for yourself bro, I am a Pakistani and I am sure as hell not proud of Mr. Khan. In fact I am quite of Late Dr, Abdul Salam, but he has been declared non muslim by our right wing crack pots and now we cannot even be proud of him.
How sad is that?
"he was and still is only celebrity whom we overseas Pakistani proud of.he has carved a special place for himself in the conscience of an ordinary Pakistani."
Are you kidding me? how did you arrive at this conclusion? Please enlighten me...
-Zoobee
'To compare him with politicians like zardari for whom polotics is a source of fulfillment of personal desires,is his insult for him.'
'someone who is speaking truth'
'Imran is actually too pure'
according to faiq, imran is selfless, true, trustworthy, a man with reputation and honor, and 'too pure'. faiq, i think you're too given to deifying imran khan to ever arrive at a critical judgement.
and i really don't get why people have to see their role models as 'selfless'. isn't self-aggrandizement, something all politicians engage in to some extent, a selfish motive?
I never trusted Imran Khan - though I do admit that his social contribution to Pakistan is still significant (Shaukut definitely comes to mind when I say this). Needless to say, that doesn't preclude him from being a complete idiotic moron in politics.
Then again, I think I am the only Pakistani that supported Musharraf, even when he made serious blunders. I do think that his administration (barring his advisers) did have Pakistan's best interests at heart.
3 cheers for citizen journalism.
I agree with YH comments.
It is sad when someone you believe in someone like that. I wonder what the reaction will be when I finally talk about that paper which discusses how Bharat ki shaan Sachin Tendulkar mixes around with the Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray.
Here is a preview,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahm3urxBJLc&feature=related
Since you probably dont speak Marathi, Mr. Tendulkar says, "I am very happy to be back at Shivaji Park. When Raj Thackeray started preliminary discussions about this program I felt very happy .... "
Cricketers and politicians should really not mix.
Tazeen, the first line should read,
It is sad when someone you believe in turns out to be someone like that.
Here's my assessment of Imran Khan - he's one step short of being nothing but a gas bag. His personality, public or otherwise, epitomizes what is that ails Pakistan political ecosystem. He's a guy who, as evident from his actions, is willing to do anything to get into the club, as far as politics in Pakistan is concerned. Yes, he's a great cricketer, a well meaning benefactor of the people through his philanthropy, however, this should not be confused with his track record as a politician. Let's see, if anyone is deserving of the label "flip-flop" it is Imran Khan (no, John Kerry does not even come close). His political allegiances have swung wildly then ever did his bowling back in the day. He was against Nawaz, then he's with Nawaz, he was for Musharraf, then he's against Musharraf, he says he supports insaaf, yet at the same time he's not willing to take religion out of the governance. For example, it's the Islamic in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that makes it shameful that only a Muslim is allowed to lead the country - it is Islamic in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that prescribes religiosity of its citizens. It is Islamic in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that willfully creates a second class citizenry - leaving them then the behest of state sanctioned inhumane discrimination.
Furthermore Imran Khan also epitomizes the hypocrisy that goes unchallenged in the Islamic world today - most his life he lived a life of fornication (having a child out of wedlock - which I personally don't give a damn about) yet refuses to call out the inhumane laws such as hudood ordinance or the blasphemy law - ironic given that some these laws he himself has broken and could be thrown in jail for had he not been a person of influence/celebrity. He criticizes people for being "American Puppets", and allowing sovereignty of Pakistan to be desecrated time and again, yet, he then criticizes GB for bestowing knighthood to Salman Rushdie. He claims that Islam is held hostage by narrow minded thugs, yet then turns around and supports same thugs in AMA... Imran Khan claims to champion the cause of the poor in Pakistan, yet has not had the balls to decry his own blue bloodlines - the same blueblood that at one point opposed creation of Pakistan.
Imran Khan, in short, is nothing more than part of the cancer that ails Pakistan.
As long as Pakistan's psyche is held hostage by Islam - and I am talking religion and state here - nothing much is going to change for the better. If one wants true insaaf - then let's start treating citizens as humans first...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
LOL!
OK, You rock, Imran sucks! Now tell me more about that hair transplant thing....
How our idols fall- I used to be completely crazy after the Imran Khan, when I was a kid. I remember the 1992 World cup- had taken off from school to watch him play.
Taz,
Just because you know about certain organizatins doesnt mean everyone else has heard about them. IK might be doing a lot more work for women than you might have heard of and you cannot possibly expect him to know about every organization in this world. Many people are carrying out exemplary work for many different causes and they might have not even heard of UN WHO etc. That doesnt mean they are good-for-nothing asses.
Please do not impose your expectations on him.
One more thing. He is not forcing you to vote for him. He is asking for your vote. If you really care about Pakistan why don't you take the plunge and then we will dissect you in every possible way and manner.
"IK might be doing a lot more work for women than you might have heard of and you cannot possibly expect him to know about every organization in this world."
Rehaan - would you mind educating us by providing some proof of this "more work for women" that IK has performed?
Thanks,
-Zoobee
This is true for almost all celebs who enter politics
Tazeen my friend, you just might be Pakistan's answer to Tina Fey.
xill-e-ilahi,
You are right but at times, it is very therapeutic to tell them to f*&k off.
Asfandyar,
How about self aggrandizement? That’s the only thing he stands for, and that too at any cost.
Che,
Bro, I bow down to you. You are most loyal to your craft.
Salmanjilani,
I think your philosophy kicks some serious ass.
Kartik,
Thanks
Georg,
I did not translate it because it would have lost all humor in translation.
At times I wonder, are we this reprehensible that we are stuck with the likes of Qazi, Zardari, Khan and Man of steel?
Sajid,
Lol, I actually get a guy on my blog who went to school with Jemima and that too a bong dude. Hail to globalization.
Free thinker,
Spot on.
the twenty second line,
Well, when established channels of journalism refuse to publish your stuff, one has to resort to blogging.
Rehaan,
meray bhai, CEDAW is not an organization, its a UN convention. Read what i have written slowly and twice, you may understand it.
Do you expect somebody like Obama to make a mistake like that? No you dont. Because Obama did not take his electorate for a fool and was prepared for everything. Secondly, its not the lack of knowledge but the attitude (denial of discriminatory laws) that got my goat.
amnasia,
Amna my friend, you just made my day. But I bet Tina Fey did not have to deal with jack asses like Murtaza who kill just about everything I do.
Oh Tazeen, how dare you say such crap against the purest of the pure! How dare you doubt the political credentials of the great Khan!
He might be more dangerous than Zardari, but that's only cause he excels at everything - even if it is sucking at politics.
All hail PTI.
Taz,
I mentioned UN because CEDAW, as mentioned on un.org, is held under the aegis of UN...but that is a topic for a different day. And no I dont think every one who is involved in women empoverment needs to know about this convention. Denial of issues..he has a different take on it. Did we ever give him a chance to explain it?
Zoobie,
Good that Taz mentioned Obama here. Can you please mention any philanthropic work that he has carried out?
Obama has a zillion people behind behind him churning out his speeches and doing his and his cat's hair cut. And I assure you Obama will make thousands of gaffes in the coming years. Just give him some time :)
ofcourse I meant empowerment
Rehaan,
Ahhh I see - we're getting into a you show me yours and I show mine type of thing eh... Sensing pedestrian trend of thought let me clarify some basics:
1) I asked you a question about a statement that you made (hint: keyword is "you")
2) Tez mentioned Obama (hint: I did not)
3) My question was specific to that of IK's "work for women" - where as you are now asking about "philanthropic" work by Obama - I have no idea how does these tow relate as far as MY question to YOUR statement is concerned?
In lieu of #1, and that I asked you a question first, and that is something you need to answer to ME
In case of Obama - since Tez brought up his name - I think you should be asking Tez, not I.
Please let me know if you need me to clarify things further for you - I'll be more than glad to re-phrase so that it is makes it easier for you to understand. Lastly, remember, when you state something, it is nice to also support that statement with an example. Please remember this - it'll make you a better and perhaps also a less spiteful person!
In the meantime - yeah please do keep a tab on all the gaffes made by Obama as if Obama gaffes are somehow going to exonerate/vindicate joke of a politician that is Imran Khan...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
Rehaan,
I know it’s a little difficult to comprehend anything which is out of your sphere but please give it a try.
I gave Obama's name as a point of reference. It could very well have been Gordon Brown or Angela Merckel. Any politician worth his or her salt would make it a point to talk to his electorate about issues that matter, esp when they are campaigning. For instance, despite being Wellesley graduate, Hilary Clinton rolled up he sleeves and bowled and drank beer with ohio’s blue collar crowd and spoke their language. That’s what a politician is supposed to do. Pay attention to the electorate. Imran Khan, and politicians of his ilk, tell their electorate what they should be thinking and doing which is against the very principle of democracy.
You may argue that democracy itself is flawed but that’s another debate and I have a feeling that you might not be up to it.
Please do NOT compare Obama with Imran Khan, though not an Obama Maniac, I respect the man for being a smart, highly educated person who was a law professor and wrote books that were not only read world wide but inspired thousands of people. To top it all, he did it all on his own with his daddy’s millions or daddy’s clout like erstwhile W or blue blooded Khan.
It’s a sad fact that we support or inspire our leader only on the basis of what they say suits our little personnel objectives,…… who cares about this dam country any way!
What could be better than this that we call a person, who bought one of the few achievements that this terrorist nation can be proud of “ STUPID” yet on the other hand we advocate people like “Salman Rushdi”.
After all these are the point of views that make the rest of the world think that we are not extremist…. Right?
I can never be more proud of being a Pakistani:)
I really dont know how this is a post from RELUCTANT MIND?? hehe...good one...
I, a rational personal on the other hand consistently used civilized language
You are right but at times, it is very therapeutic to tell them to f*&k off.
wow!
i just wanna say: OMG 93 COMMENTS.
okay phew. flipped through the comments (must admit i hastily scrolled down the last few since i got the gist of it all). political and religion will always be charged debates, and peoples emotions will come tumbling out. everyone definitely has a right to their own judgement, but i'm glad people generally admire him for his social contributions - which is more then i can say of any other leader in office.
I wonder why no one noticed this important albeit lost-in-the-storm comment:
"Anjum said...
He is a pathan(pashto speaking) what do you expect?"
rather tish and borderline rascist of you, anjum. not cool.
Owais - your rambling aside - Salman Rushdie's an accomplished writer, a brilliant writer, where as Imran Khan is a great cricketer and somewhat of an accidental philanthropist (sadly it was the tragedy of his mother that had him embark on this path). If you want compare "few achievements" brought to Pakistan, then my fellow Pakistan let's not forget enormous contributions made by the likes of Edhi Foundation, or the Agha Khan Foundation (oh no!! Agha Khan is an Ismaili!! tobah tobah tobah!) and many other unsung heroes who struggle every day...
Please try again...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
That was a great post...There was a point of time I thought he was one of the better politicians that Pakistan had to offer...well my opinion was largely formulated based on the media I was accustomed to..haha...and your posts was reality ;)
Once again the post was awesome woman!!!
kudos to you...
Taz,
Being very well read and smart and suave doesn't necessarily mean one would be a good leader. It only means he can take people for a ride for a longer time. As far as drinking beer with people is concerned, I guess that's the reason why people in USA voted Bush in ..twice...and I quote this from a clip I saw...because they thought he is a man they could have a drink with...leaders can maintain there distance and still get a lot of work done...like Rajiv Gandhi in India...despite all his flaws he was one leader worth his salt...
Gordon Brown is a joke in his own country. As far as Merckel is concerned, her view on Middle east are highly farcical. Please read them if you haven't yet. I guess they may be..quoting the chosen one here...above your pay scale..though. Obama hasn't ever been in a position of power,yet he got elected on the basis of his oratory skills, much like JFK did and we all know what kind of a prez he turned out to be.
He messed up on every possible foreign policy..right from bay of pigs to bringing the world to the brink of www3.
Zoobie,
Yes, Let us not make this a slinging match. I asked you a couple of questions too. If you dont have an answer for them please say so. I guess that will make you a better academic debater.
Uhhh, Rehaan, not taking sides or anything, but Zoobee pretty much tore you a new one.
If I was in your position, I wouldn't mention debate and competence in the same sentence.
If Tazeen meant for her original post to be provocative, then I can't think of a better topic to illicit responses! Some of these comments are downright hilarious.
Awesome post...so nice to hear the real views of someone from across the border !
i should follow this blog, pretty good posts !!!
"Zoobie,
Yes, Let us not make this a slinging match. I asked you a couple of questions too. If you dont have an answer for them please say so. I guess that will make you a better academic debater."
Rehan,
LOL! what with you peeps always wanting to score moral superiority without having anything to back it up - I mean I understand one's need to feel better than the other for one reason or another, but this, the holier-than-thou tack of "I too asked you a question" while pretending to be a good sport a la "let us not make this a sling fest" is something I refuse to fall for.
In any case, my assumption about your pedestrian thought process sadly was proved by you, therefore, I will clarify and re-iterate what is it really that makes a debate:
1) Making a statement and supporting then the said statement with REASON or an example.
For example: You said that Imran Khan has done a lot for women, yet you failed to provide and proof.
I asked you to educate me about something I am not so sure about, and your response has been nothing but this dance of distraction using words while hoping that somehow this will make the other forget the original premise.
Sir, if anything, your rather pathetic blind following was called out, and in order to save face you're acting as if...
Anyways - when you find yourself walk down that high horse of yours, please do offer the proof to support your statement. You never know, your answer may actually end up making look stupider than what you're trying to make me out...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
neither did he ask anyone to admire him. and i still think it is too restrictive to mandate knowledge of CEDAW for a person to be considered on the right side of women's emancipation.
may be the likes of Obama must know about it but a Pakistani leader needs to know more about convincing the people to treat women fairly than the existence of CEDAW, which only a handful of super smart Tazeens know, esp since the majority of people here may not even believe in emancipation of women.
"Pakistani leader needs to know more about convincing the people to treat women fairly"
Umair,
Are you saying that Imran Khan is trying to convince people to treat women fairly? Or needs to know? or?
-Zoobee
Ok. All this while I have been thinking that you added your Geo brand of 'masala' to the stories, that Imran's reaction at the Democracy symposium was coz of the events of 2008 and your intercepting him in "mid sentence", that you chose not to mention his stance on certain matter and presented his rhetorical questions literally. But I didn't realise how rude it is to call someone bad tameez esp in an international conference. You shouldn't have intercepted but calling you bad tameez is SO not how he should have responded. Even if you were his fan at the time, it would have ended the romance.
you are redeemed for me :). not that it matters to you but i am just expressing it.
ps: did he actually use the word?
Zoobee, I was replying to Tazeen. When I said, "..a Pakistani leader needs to..." I wasn't talking about a particular individual. I was only trying to explain how in the Pk context it was more important to know how to sell the women's lib idea to the masses than to know about CEDAW.
Jan 30 2009
Tazeen has now come to realize that she is indeed officially famous :)
a toast to her then, and to never giving up!!!
A lesson for our newspaper editors as well in here somewhere...but i guess they are all busy giving newbies chances... lol
For better or for worse, everything changes.
yes you are absolutely true....sorry for the late reply
@ Tazeen
Dr Abdus Salam & Imran khan .Both of them are/were 2 of Pakistan’s finest achiever in different senses, so they should be respected by others. Of course not everyone will think they are/were perfect human beings, but that does not mean you cannot respect them
There are something’s I don’t like about Imran Khan and there are things I don’t like about Dr Abdus Salam. I respect them both never the less. Never defame them coz of what they belief, what they wear and how they talk. There is nothing wrong in giving respect to people. It elevates you and not vice versa as thought of in Pakistani culture. If Imran Khan offers anything, than thats a resume, a CV of achievements, and believe you me, thats above and beyond anything thats put on the table by anyone else in this race. If that doesn’t suit you and you await an Ab Lincoln, a Thomas Jefferson or some sort of divine Messiah to rescue Pakistan, than you are severely disillusioned.
aur bibi even the indians here in dubai admire achievements of great IK in cricket and to promote healthcare and education in Pakistan.I really have no idea how to convince you that, what you are focusing on is so petty and shallow that in the bigger scheme of things it has no consequence. If character assassination is your goal then let me tell you that even Quaid-e-Azam went through that at the hands of the mullahs (they said: he eats pork, and what not.) So its up to you to pick sides. However, Imran has not played power politics, which he so easily could have, not once but twice. Imran has a vision for a fair and just judiciary; this 11 year old slogan of his, the struggle for “Azad Adleeya” is the root cause for a two tier system in Pakistan.
@zobbie
it's pointless enlighten the obvious to you, I guess u live in different world ,Cancer hosiptal, World Champ, Chancellor Brad ford Univ, Namal College is not enough for you to admit someone achievment. If he had won World Cup for England he was sure to have been knighted by the Queen and we drag him, disrespect him, and accuse him. Even last year After Mush Marshal law his 3 sisters manhandled by police officer. Again let me tell that we are a Qalaash Qooom who hates its heros and DOES Sajdah to its thug Generals, corrupt politician, Dramaybaz mullahs and Fake NGOs. We are so fickle minded.
a little advise for you ought to come out this extremist-o-phobia, character assassinating political cocoon of yours and look at the bigger picture, a picture which shuns the status quo and follows a road-map towards pragmatic solutions on an emergency bases.
I simply can't be bothered to get into an endless discussion about your opinion and my opinion. We see things differently and neither of us will change the other's opinion.
@ Zobee
I am sorry bro, but I find it really difficult to admire Salman Rushdi due to a very silly reason… I am sure you could guess?
I am too attached to the religion; you can call me a extremist for that!:)
”If you want compare "few achievements" brought to Pakistan, then my fellow Pakistan let's not forget enormous contributions made by the likes of Edhi Foundation, or the Agha Khan Foundation (oh no!! Agha Khan is an Ismaili!! tobah tobah tobah!) and many other unsung heroes who struggle every day...”
No body said they are stupid or ignorant. Mr Edhi and Mr. Agha Khan all our national heroes and I respect them for what they are doing .
As far as Prince Karim Aga Khan is concerned I don’t care what his religion is or what his believe are as long as he doesn’t make fun of other religions like some “so called great people” do.
Try to talk some sense bro:)
"I am too attached to the religion; you can call me a extremist for that!:) "
Owais -
For the umpteenth time - lay off the self-victim complex and associated melodrama. Let me clarify few things for you.
1) Being religious does not make one an extremist
2) Your love of religion, which you have every right to be proud of, as long it remains a personal matter, has nothing to do with what I and most of us have stated.
3) Religion when mixed with constitution of a country CAN and IS used to hurt people.
4) As I have stated before Islam is used to discriminate against citizens in Pakistan.
5) Blind following of religion or any ideology for that matter makes one a closed minded bafoon.
Please read 1 through 4 and let me know if you have any questions.
Now let's talk about point #5
Most Abrahamic religions believe in the concept of Adam and Eve being the first ever pair of human beings. Which I assume being a Muslim you too believe?
Now let me ask you a question:
1) When Adam had sex with Eve, was this done out of wedlock? if so, why?
2) When Eve bore Adam's child, how was then the family multiplied further?
Please answer #1 and #2
Cheers!
-Zoobee
"@zobbie
it's pointless enlighten the obvious to you, I guess u live in different world ,Cancer hosiptal, World Champ, Chancellor Brad ford Univ, Namal College is not enough for you to admit someone achievment. If he had won World Cup for England he was sure to have been knighted by the Queen and we drag him, disrespect him, and accuse him. Even last year After Mush Marshal law his 3 sisters manhandled by police officer. Again let me tell that we are a Qalaash Qooom who hates its heros and DOES Sajdah to its thug Generals, corrupt politician, Dramaybaz mullahs and Fake NGOs. We are so fickle minded."
Faiq - member of the rambling defenders
What the hell are you talking about?
Dude - I don't give a hoot about cult of personalities - as I have stated:
1) Imran Khan a great cricketer: Yes
2) Imran Khan a philanthropist: Yes
3) Imran Khan a good politician: No
4) Imran Khan a ray of hope for Pakistan: No
5) Imran Khan a hypocrite: Yes
BTW - in scheme of humanity one's diet or sexual escapades has NOTHING to do with how one may or may not lead an organization or a country... of course in Imran Khan's case these actions are used to highlight his hypocrisy and it is this hypocrisy that makes him an unfit public figure - it's that simple. Think about it and if this still does not make sense - please come back with yet another ramble - and I will yet again spell things out for you...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
sarem, i expected more restraint from you! be nice! :)
for the record, im all for PTI...
Sidrah: I had no idea Imran Khan had so many fanboys! They are so infuriated that they can't formulate a coherent point, much less a coherent sentence.
Like Zoobee said, as a philantropist, Imran Khan deserves laud and praise. As a hypocrital politican, he deserves all the derision and ridicule.
that was still uncalled for, and not you, S.
(you know i love you!)
@ lols:
1) Being religious does not make one an extremist….. Good to hear that!
2) Your love of religion, which you have every right to be proud of, as long it remains a personal matter, has nothing to do with what I and most of us have stated…….. I am so much impressed by your thoughts!
3) Religion when mixed with constitution of a country CAN and IS used to hurt people………….It depends on what religion you are talking about!
4) As I have stated before Islam is used to discriminate against citizens in Pakistan………..I don’t agree.
5) Blind following of religion or any ideology for that matter makes one a closed minded bafoon…………….. True.
Now let’s move to your questions?
1) When Adam had sex with Eve, was this done out of wedlock? if so, why?
2) When Eve bore Adam's child, how was then the family multiplied further?
Ans: They were married….. or may be they were not married or maybe they dated first and made out under the tree or …………..! I really don’t care. What difference does it makes whether Adam and Eves had sex before they were married or after they were married and how they made sure that we would come in this world.
In fact, this is our best part. We fight over issues that have no real importance and actually don’t even effect us and make our life, our religion, our culture more confusing for us.
I think you could do a better job:)
Zoobie,
I really do not need want to get into this. Let me just explain to you what I had previously said. Read it slowly..read it twice. If your pea-sized brain isnt able to comprehend it, then pal I think you are hopeless.
Reading through the comments, I see that the statement:
"IK might be doing a lot more work for women than you might have heard of and you cannot possibly expect him to know about every organization in this world"
Get a course in grammar 101 first,beta. When one says "might", he is actually throwing out in the open the possibility that there is likelihood that such a thing has happened. When one postulates, it is on the basis on some background evidence, which in this case is his years of humanitarian aid. One need not have concrete evidence to prove it. But I guess your obstinate mentality wouldn't let you accept the fact that you erred here. If you haven't yet understood, let me know. I can expound on this further. One more thing. Using pompous words doesnt make one a good writer. A good chain of thought and a knack for saying things in a succinct manner make a good one. Sit on that for a moment.
I am getting a feeling you are the kind of person who visits blogs and news sites only to validate your firmly and rigidly held view points. But you know sometimes it is good to listen to what the other people are saying. You never know you might end up being way smarter than you think you are.
When Eve bore Adam's child, how was then the family multiplied further?
That's an evil question which most people will not even attempt to answer.
Interestingly, there is a school of thought that says that the Bible is not to be taken literally. It's all metaphorical. This could solve this little quandary, which, rather embarrassingly, makes incest a part of the family for everyone who believes in the story of Genesis.
I am, however, yet to hear anybody say that the Quran is not to be taken literally.
@Tazeen,
Hope you are doing well and are in the best of health.
So Imran is bad because he does not support Women’s Rights.
Wow where have I heard that before?
I say Imran is on the right track because he does not talk about "Women’s Rights" he talks about "Human Rights", Rule of law, and justice for all.
This is what Pakistan needs not some token words written into law that no one follows and is used by the police to oppress the poor.
But you see some people cannot focus on anything other then "Women Rights". That's where their politics and religion ends.
You know the kind they have in Afghanistan now, where because of poverty fathers are forced to sell their children. But hey CIWA would list them higher cause they have those "women rights" that all countries should have.
As quoted by one aspiring your girl in a country with "Women Rights" ...."I aspire to be a playboy bunny".
Now that’s the sort of Women Rights we need in Pak you know to distract us from the fact that we have no rights and are poor hungry beggars.
O
PS
@faiq bro you need to keep repeating yourself. These guys ahve attended the liberal madrasahs here they have leart the mantra "Women Rights" day and night. It is tough to get through the indoctrination :)
@Rehaan nice one
"Get a course in grammar 101 first,beta." and rest of holier than thou make feel self superior rant says it all.
LOL! I rest my case... These peeps have nothing left to say but pathetic attempts at putting down facts the Imran Khan way: Ignore.
Cheers!
-Zoobee
@Zobee,
Actually Zobee you are the one who is ignoring the message.
O
"Ans: They were married….. or may be they were not married or maybe they dated first and made out under the tree or …………..! I really don’t care. What difference does it makes whether Adam and Eves had sex before they were married or after they were married and how they made sure that we would come in this world.
In fact, this is our best part. We fight over issues that have no real importance and actually don’t even effect us and make our life, our religion, our culture more confusing for us.
I think you could do a better job:)"
LOL! Dude not that I am tooting my own horn, but my job was done when I had posed the question - and my point of "blind faith makes one a bafoon" was proven then by your response. And here's how:
1) They were married, are you then saying that the institution of marriage existed since the beginning? Okay - cool - God Married them fine. Which is kind of funny given that God created beings, then created too the ritual... pardon the digression So you say what difference does it make - well it makes ALL the difference then - if Adam and Eve can have sex before being married then why is marriage a requirement now? also, why did God need to marry Adam and Eve?
Anyhow, you never answered my second question... why?
Fight? huh? are you saying that our exchange of questions is a fight? if so, why? and what makes it a fight?
Cheers,
-Zoobee
@Zobee,
Just out of curiosity...you stated:
"In scheme of humanity one's diet or sexual escapades has NOTHING to do with how one may or may not lead an organization or a country... of course in Imran Khan's case these actions are used to highlight his hypocrisy and it is this hypocrisy that makes him an unfit public figure - it's that simple."
What is the hypocrisy in IK case that make him an exception to your rule that
"one's diet or sexual escapades has NOTHING to do with how one may or may not lead an organization or a country"
O
"Actually Zobee you are the one who is ignoring the message."
O the moron-extraordinaire - message? LOL! you indeed still remain full of self eh...
You don't have the balls to respond to the facts dude...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
@Zobee,
"You don't have the balls to respond to the facts dude..."
I do have them and do I detect jelousy for your lack of aforementioned items?
You know if it bothers you that much there are surgeons in this world who can fix that.
What facts would you like to know about IK?
O
"What is the hypocrisy in IK case that make him an exception to your rule that"
mOronic - please cut-n-paste my ENTIRE post - and then write this word CONTEXT on a desk or some hard easy to reach surface and bang your head against it - if after the appearance of the impression if the word makes any sense...
Sir - you are fun to tool around with... thanks for making yourself object of my entertainment...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
"What facts would you like to know about IK?"
mOronic - uh and you had the audacity of telling me that it was I who did not get the message? And here you're acting as if you know it all...
It's okay - your ignorance of the obvious is nothing new...
Anyhoooo read my post for a clue... if still does not help - let me know - I will simplify things for your taste...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
p.s. mOronic gets the last word
@Zoobee,
No ma'am it is I who should thank you for the entertainment you provide.
I did read your post and have yet to see the hypocrisy you alluded to. I did paste your whole comment.
O
mOronic - I am a dude - dude...
So I see all the banging of the head against CONTEXT has not made/transferred any impression yet - keep on trying - and when taking break to recover from the headache from all the head banging re-read my post and see if you're able get the "message"...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
p.s. mOronic is contextually challenged
"That's an evil question which most people will not even attempt to answer."
Hades - well is it the question that is evil? or the story/belief/answer? ;)
-Zoobee
O,
I think you should start writing your own blog. Pleas dont piggyback on my blog to get readers for your inane arguments. I have stopped reading them. Any more comments which are as stupid as this trail from you will be deleted from now onwards.
I want this place to have a modicum of intelligence if not more.
Zoobee,
You cannot continue to argue with the likes of O, he is the attentions seeker of the worst order and he is so bloody lazy that he trolls others' space to do this instead of creating his own.
"3) Religion when mixed with constitution of a country CAN and IS used to hurt people………….It depends on what religion you are talking about!
4) As I have stated before Islam is used to discriminate against citizens in Pakistan………..I don’t agree. "
3) Let's say I am talking about Islam
4) And why is it that you disagree? While at it - have you not read my post stating WHY and HOW Islamic in Islamic Republic of Pakistan discriminates? If not, please do, and then respond accordingly.
Cheers!
-Zoobee
p.s. Rehaan ka Beta
Hyocrite!
The fire power above awes me, :D
I must say, its kind of my own story too. Though I'm just two years out of uni yet and not that cynical...but cynical nevertheless.
That exchange at the conference left me slack jawed. A politician should e better at handling differing opinions. Shame.
To all the mindless drones of Imran Khan's neverending ejaculate (Yes I said it) - stop confusing philantrophy with politics.
There is no casual relationship.
The only one who is making sense here is Zoobee - but his sarcasm and wit is escaping primitive cognitive abilities which seem to be so prevalent with the politically ignorant masses vis-a-vis IK supporters. God you guys are worse than flies on a carcass.
Sarem,
Exactly my point.
You know what?
When I wrote this post, I never thought it would degenerate into this mindless debate. I wrote it as a witty fun piece of non-fiction literature (if there is a genre like that) and I thought it would elicit a few laughs at best.
I guess we tend to analyze art and do not analyze matters that need deeper probe. Tragic, innit?
@Sarem,
Yes the great wit of calling some one a moron. Ah yes such a high level of literacy.
Zoobee is an agenda driven inchoherent drone, of the "religon the cause of all ill".
His hate blinds him and that is his failing.
O
PS Tazeen, why did you delete my previous post?
mOronic - huh? when did I say that religion is cause of ALL ills? when?
LOL - it is characteristically pathetic of you to do nothing more than to blame, when one's asinine existence is called out. Thanks, though, for being a proof of such...
Cheers!
-Zoobee
p.s. didn't you know that drones are deadly?
@ mOronic and Zoo-bee
Wedlock comprises of three main components, consent -love-responsibility.
As a creator of Eve and Adam, because they were bound to give birth to a new system of life , God has already taught them the rules and regulations pertaining to their daily life. So yes that was a wedlock.
The first two kids were the boys, so God sent two girls for them name "nazzala" and "munazzala" for their two boys.
This is how life started, the narrations and stories of Adam's sons and daughters marrying each other is illogical neither supported by Islam.
@Zobee,
Do you have anything to offer other then personal attacks?
You whole case (if you can call it that) against Imran is about religon.
let me quote you you said: [b]"As long as Pakistan's psyche is held hostage by Islam - and I am talking religion and state here - nothing much is going to change for the better. "[/b]
This of course Tazeen permitting cause aparently my post don't reach the level of inteligence your's do.
Maybe if I too started using degrading words and personal attacks as arguments I might escape the mighty tazeen chop.
Your other arguments against IK are laughable. He is in polotics for power even his most virulent opposers don't say that about him.
Also regarding his alliance, please understand the term "one point agenda".
O
//Dr, Abdul Salam, has been declared non muslim by our right wing crack pots and now we cannot even be proud of him.
How sad is that?//
Please get your facts straight Tazeen. Dr. Abdul Salam was not a muslim. He was a member of Ahmadiyya Community. He was not "declared" non-muslim. He was a Ahmedi by birth and was burried in Bahishti Maqbara in Rabwah next to his parents' graves.
And show some respect please (as pointed to you by Imran Khan himself), Ahmadi's were declared non-muslims, not by not some "right wing crack pots", but by the efforts of the prestigious Tehreek-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwwat and finally by the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ordinance XX.
In 1984, the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, under General Zia-ul-Haq, passed Ordinance XX, which banned proselytizing by Ahmadis and also banned Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims. According to this ordinance, any Ahmadi who refers to himself as a Muslim by either spoken or written word, or by visible representation, directly or indirectly, or makes the call for prayer as other Muslims do, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years.
In accordance with the law, the epitaph on Dr. Abdul Salam's tomb, which initially read "First Muslim Nobel Laureate" was changed on the orders of a local magistrate, to "First Nobel Laureate".
O
I seriously think you just can't comprehend English.
Lets break it down:
Zoobee's point is that the STATE (read policy) and religion should not mix/intertwine/correlate. Each have their own place encumbered by their subjective individual ideologies.
One of his criticisms (and mind you fair) of IK is that he mixes the two, whatever his intentions might be. That alone makes for a dangerous politcian that institutes his own subjective religious bias into contentious, complicated social/political issues.
Get it?
English 101.
@Saree,
But thats just it. You may think that others don't. I don't find the two mutually exclusive.
That too for a nation that was created in the name of religon.
What I find assnine (I am trying to be more like Zoobee here) are statements such as insaaf cannot be gotten unless religon is take out of governance.
Thats an ignorant persons statement.
Lets not try and pull a turkey here shall we, we all know how thats turning out.
Coming back to the topic which is IK we then agree that the issue with Zoobee is about IK belifs in religon.
O
Sarem and Zoobee,
Can I please request the two of you not to respond to anything O says here on my blog?
I have stopped responding to him and would request the same from you guys. He can take his attention seeking melodrama elsewhere and I shall remove further comments by O on this post. He is free to comment elsewhere and if you guys are that intent on this match, may be you can take it up on email or something.
O
Religion in its entiretly is pure interpretation - so individual feelings absent of objective moral quality of Islam is not only prevalent, but the norm, principal and the rule.
On that basis alone, postulating a set of legislation, policy and social indoctrination based on religious scriptures will be problematic specifically for this reason.
Not saying that Islam should be discounted, if individuals had the capacity to inculcate the true values Islam espouses then we would not have this argument at all.
But people are fickle bitches - and IK has no real justification to mix the two especially in the realm of politics.
Politics and religions don't mix because society consists of realistic constituents, not idealism.
That, and I never liked IK,philantrophy aside.
Alright, since this is your blog - I'll stop with the pissing contest.
Out!
Thanks a lot Sarem
@Sarem,
I would continue this intersting discusion on your blog but unfortunately do not have a blogger ID, plus do not have any intention to.
I am open to any suggestions as to how and if you want to continue. Email is not an issue with me.
Over and out.
Regards
O
Interesting how politics, religion and sex - all three of the dinner-table don'ts - always come up in heated debates about any one of them.
Shows how much of a repressed society we are.
Also I am very disturbed at people's disparaging view of those who care too much about women's rights.
And taz, please, you might wanna use moderation. At least delete comments like this one:
"
"You don't have the balls to respond to the facts dude..."
I do have them and do I detect jelousy for your lack of aforementioned items?
You know if it bothers you that much there are surgeons in this world who can fix that."
LOL. Throughly enjoyed it taz and in an uncanny way I found a lot of similarities. I was one of his tigers as well in school! I also joined his political party in 2002 and was immediately appointed zonal chief! I was disillusioned by the time the elections were over. Imran spent the whole election campaign ranting about the American invasion of Afghanistan and the model judicial system of Singapore to people who only wanted a new school in Mianwali and jobs for their kids. In the end he won that consitituency on the basis of the Pathan vote in his favor against his Punjabi backed opponent.
Since then he has ridden whatever new tide he could find. He has consistently found popularity amongst youth who belong to two groups.
One is the "educated" middle class youth from government universities and colleges who do not see the future they want for themselves in today's Pakistan and have the Messiah mindset. So they hope against hope that he will come to power and give them what they want.
The second group is of "liberal" super-rich kids from top private institutions who already have jobs lined up with multi-nationals courtesy of dad/mom and who need some periodic rebellion in secure environments to satisfy their craving to be special and cool. Clad in designerware flaunting Che Guverra these intellectual wankers (pardon my french) flock to Imran Khan's cult to satisfy their tourist instincts. They participate in a demonstration or two, throw rocks or beat up some poor police walas and then move to the closest trendy cafe for a quick puff of sheesha as they plan the next hop-over to Dubai with their boy/girlfriends over expensive cells.
The way I see it, the first group wants what the second group has. The second group may feel some guilt for having what they have and engage in these activities to appease their conscience... and mostly they just want to be cool :) Either way Khan sahib is the only messiah both can identify with since he is the youngest of our political dinosaurs and in some ways the poorest one, both in terms of power and money.
I honestly don't believe it's Khan's fault what he has become. An organism adapts to the environment it has to survive in. Khan's constituency has always been idealistic youth who want a brush with revolution of sorts at some point in their life --- before they move on. So Khan basically plays to the gallery instead of having a focussed, workable agenda that he pursues to bring change in the society. He doesn't represent hope for change nor provide any direction or means for it. He represents the yearning for change in our youth before they change themselves and also represents their innocence before they grow up :)
@Zobee
Fight? huh? are you saying that our exchange of questions is a fight? if so, why? and what makes it a fight?
LOls. No fight brother, all peace. I told you already that I am inspired by your thinking:) …… Anyways lets keep it short and simple.
The reason why I didn’t answer your second question was simple. I don’t know and I have already told you that I am not interested in finding out. However some one ( Ali) in the earlier comment did answer your question. I don’t know weather he is right or wrong but as mentioned earlier “Not interested to find out”
As for your questions.
3) Let's say I am talking about Islam:
I can really use some example where religion in its right sense had been used to hurt people.
4) And why is it that you disagree? While at it - have you not read my post stating WHY and HOW Islamic in Islamic Republic of Pakistan discriminates? If not, please do, and then respond accordingly.
No I haven’t read your blog, but I definitely will as soon as time allows me. The issues on which you believe that Islam discriminate requires discussions, and I think that would totally be a different topic. However if you want to discuss, let me know.
Now remember we were talking about a man called Imran Khan. Lets stick to that and keep religion out of it:)
@Salman Ali,
Please take a look at Imran's Interview on Feb. 1st
http://pkpolitics.com/2009/02/01/jawab-deyh-1-february-2009/
I just don't understand how you came to the conclusion about Imran when he has been the only polotician that has been consistent about his party line:
1. Rule of Law for every one / Insaf / through Azad Adliyat
2. Pakistan Welfare State same way he is running his cancer hospital
3. Education for the masses / threough reform / making English availabel for every one
Which shows focus and practical ways of reaching his goals.
So I do not understand how you came to this conclusion.
PTI Supporter
"how can he support independent judiciary and an alternative justice system of jirga court"
I'm amazed to know that at least there is one politician in pakistan, who supports it, which is a good sign.
For people who get offended with terms such as jirga or panchayat let call it Jury, and Grand jury, which is principle part of justice in western socities.But instead of making it alternative system, make it the system, dont you wonder, all criminal cases in pakistan depends upon one person,s decision known as judge? often lawyers or involved parties bribe them to have his decision in their favor. Jirga, Punchayat is the solution to this problem, where instead of jugde 15-21 people will be presented evidence, then vote on either person accused is guilty or not, let make this the LAW in Pakistan and yes call it Jury, as it will also satisfy people who feel they are westernised, or west is the best.
@PTI, what you have listed are his GOALS. What is his strategy to achieve these things? Where are the action plans? Who takes the decisions on all of these things other than Imran himself?
There is a whole network of Tehreek-e-Insaaf's cadre and organization. How powerful are they in the decision-making process? How much concrete work have they already completed on an economic plan, a foreign policy etc?
Don't get me wrong... read my whole post. I haven't demonized or spoken negatively about Imran. I have in fact tried to give my view on what he represents and what he stands for. The biggest problem I saw with him and his party were that they kept complaining about the lack of proper circumstances in the country for democracy ... i.e. someone should revamp judiciary, end corruption, fix the political system, level the playing field, liberate foreign policy, assert national independece and then Imran and his party will contest elections and "play". (That's why he supported Musharraf in early days of his reign.) Well excuse me, but those are the very things YOU guys need to DO instead of pointing out. Whining and protesting about how bad things is not going to help anyone other than perhaps vent some of the frustrations of the party's followers. When will PTI start "playing"... i.e. contest elections or start a revolution or do whatever they think needs to be done? Shit doesn't happen, you need to make it happen.
@Jahanzaib
You are entitled to your opinion and everyone else is entitled to their's. However I for one cannot imagine living in a country where the judicial system of the state is a jirga or a punchayat. You may call it Grand Jury, Tribunal or wateva, but if it requires me to walk over burning embers to prove my case or give my toddler niece as compensation to the accuser if I cannot walk over embers, I don't want that system running in my country.
There is a reason the rest of the world has advanced to adopt a certain form of legal system guys. Let's not turn the wheel back and return to a tribal culture!
@Salman Ali
Salman either you did not get my point, or you just know nothing about legal system in west, or at least in the U.S.
Wont you be amazed if i tell you jirga or panchayat is not tribal but very much advance legal system, and it is practiced in U.S courts known as Jury.
Now what makes jirga different from Jury is, how we choose members of jury, In jirga they are permanent but in jury, people are randomly chosen for every case from same neighborhood where the case is presented.
And yes rest and best of the world have adopted that tribal system proudly, now its our term, to legalize it in our courts instead of jirgas of clerics, we need to form jirgas of common person, which will ensure justice to the society.
Oh and yeah i would prefer my children to grow up in society where one person can not make decisions and justice is served.
O, i second Tazeen,Start your own blog please. I would love to read it.
@Jahanzaib
Dear you misread ME. I WILL be amazed if you told me that jirgas and panchayats are legal in the US and are called juries. The US Juries decide according to the law of the land i.e. Constitution, Federal or State or County or any other penal code. Jirgas and Panchayats in Pakistan do not! Jirgas and Panchayats in Pakistan decide according to tribal customs and codes, some of which are in stark violation of the laws of the land. Vani? Karokari? Trial by fire? Which Pakistani penal code are these part of?
The jirgas and panchayats in Pakistan do not implment a law that has been legislated by the representatives of the majority citizens of an area or group. They are instruments of power at the discretion of sardars, landlords and tribal elders. I hope you get the difference now.
They do have equity courts in the UK where judges give decisions on the basis of their own wisdom. But even they cannot give a decision against the law of the land.
@Jahanzaib
Also I have deliberately not mentioned the Red Indian Tribal zones in the US where tribal codes are in effect. Because no one in the US is demanding that those codes be implemented in the whole country.
Brader Jahanzaib,
I am amazed that anyone who has ever seen /heard/read about the verdicts issued by jirga courts can compare them to jury courts in US.
The jury courts in US implement the law of the land i.e. US constitution, or the law of that particular state and not some tribal code and never to avenge the assumed honor as is the common practice in Pakistan. Mukhtaran Mai’s gang rape was ordered by a jirga court and if Mr Imran Khan supports that then every woman would appose it. Honor is not hidden in a woman's chaddor in US, it’s a code of conduct for human beings .. Irrespective of their gender.
I am amazed at Imran Khan lovers, they keep coming one after another …
@Salman Ali
Salman i think i could not explain it better, when i said we need to do this in our legal system, i meant in context of Pakistan Penal Law, instead of any tribal laws.
Jurors are not required to know the law, they are just required to decide in the light of provided evidence if the person is guilty or innocent, based upon their decision judge do whatever State Law says.
This is what i want in Pakistan, I think you understood me wrong,when i stated we must implement these jirgas or juries in our courts did not mean we should also implement tribal laws.
@Salman Ali
Do you know if we go back to 1800, these juries were same as jirgas in our society, they use to tie weights to the accused and put them in water, if they did not drown, they were considered innocent.
Western societies have legalized those juries in accordance with State Laws, this is what we need.
Don't you think instead of judge if there is a jury to decide, it will be hard for people to change verdict in their favors?
@Tazeen Aapi :P
I think you people have not read "We must implement this system in our courts" which means accordance to the State Law i.e constitution of the land.
No one in their right mind can ever justify Mukhtaran Mai kind of decisions, but also these are RARE, people do go to these jirgas, because they have faith in them, and they effective in that society.
BTW do not consider everyone IK's lover if they do not agree with you, or have different opinion.
I have nothing to do with IK, or with any other politician of Pakistan, as legally I'm not Pakistani but a U.S citizen, who wants better laws to be implemented in the country where i was born.
Is there something wrong with it Tazeen Aapi?
"people do go to these jirgas, because they have faith in them, and they effective in that society."
Interesting segue indeed!
So, how does one know that it is the "Faith" not "convenience" (i.e. self serving laziness) that guides people to rely on jigra-esque venues of justice (civil, criminal or otherwise)?
From my vantage point, both American, and Pakistani - after all me both - what Pakistan needs is empowerment of the populace - and only to empower people is by strengthening institutions. Of course, only way to strengthen institutions is by it being fair to citizens - and REMOVAL of Tribal/Religious laws from the constitution is the very first MAJOR step that needs to be taken.
In any case interesting way of looking at streamlining of the dispensation of justice in Pakistan.
Cheers!
-Zoobee
p.s. I have nothing against Islam as far as it remains in the personal non-official space... my beef is with religion, ANY religion, or religiosity of citizens being made a cornerstone of the constitution
@Salman Bhai,
The stategy is in front of you. I would suggest you visit one of our offices to see our action plans and how we are going into the masses.
We are for instituions not popular figures, if you see how Shokhat Khanum is run you will understand, Imran is not running it he has help make the rules and the insituion is now running itself.
Economic plan is also present and presented to the public in many interviews. The main thrust is to reduce the cost and subsidies that the goverment gives to MNA's and the cost of running presedential palaces and stupid things. Concentrate on developing human capital.
Again what I am suprised about is that you are asking these questions. I suggest you see some of the numerous interviews that Khan sahib has given answers to all these questions.
Did you see the intreview I posted before where he talks about the situation in SWAT and the solutions for it?
Salamn bhai I can understand if you have a problem with the solutions provided (maybe you have better one to suggest to us then please do so) but to say that PTI does not have solution you are doing a disservice to us.
We are building our ground support unfortunately they are not all bloggers because they come from poor families whihs is also unfortunately the majority of the pakistanis.
Pakistan zindabad
PTI Supporter
Zobe,
People going to jigra because people gettign justice. Person is not lazy when injustice is being done to him.
People going to place where justice is done. That is why people like jigra, decison fast and just.
Sometimes justice not there like Muktaram mai. But same like Amrican courts sometime wrong judgement.
Don't make courts bad same way bad decison dont make jigra bad.
I hopeing you are understandying.
Rehan Malik
PTI,
Salman is speaking from experience. He used to be a worker of PTI but go thoroughly disillusioned when he found out that PTI Lahore's office had life size photos of Imran Khan and his then wife Jemime Khan but none of Mohd Ali Jinnah and Iqbal. He was told to shut up when he raised his voice against the personality cult.
I guess Jinnah for secular for the likes of Imran Khan.
Rehan,
please get a course in basic english before you write here or write in Roman Urdu, your 'understandying'reminds me of good old jedi (Athar Shah Khan and not the Jedi knights).
I am closing the comments section here. I think it has gone on long enough.
Tazeen,
I really, really enjoyed your post :D
Your link was posted on another blog post, about Imran Khan
http://pakcom.com/imran-khan-at-his-irresponsible-best/comment-page-1/#comment-361
The media attention and 'urban' fanfare he enjoys is quite surprising, given his political thinking. I shudder to think how Pakistan will turn out, were he to be our 'future PM'.
Lord help us.
Grow up, lady.
that was one nice post! will keep coming back for more...
Totally spoke my mind!!
Gone through (almost) the same evolution 8-)
Post a Comment