Archive for December, 2008

On-Air: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 {10am, 4pm, 3am (PST)}

If I ask you, what day did the Mariot blast take place, what date, time and how many casualties were suffered?  Would you be able to answer me without really having to jog your memory or consulting anyone?

As 2008 comes to a wrap, one cannot help but wonder as to why the bloodiest year in the history of Pakistan seems like a distant dream, a hazy one at that. Whereas it is important to forget, sometimes it is more important to remember. Year 2008 saw a peak of 81 bomb blasts/suicide strikes in which approximately 1730 people were injured and 529 causalities (according to The Nation). Quetta experienced the maximum blasts, 18 bomb blasts/suicide strikes, Peshawar: 8, Lahore: 7, Islamabad: 6, Karachi: 4,Kohat and Swat: 3, Rawalpindi and Bannu: 2 and in Waziristan Agency: 1 and these are mere recorded figured and only of the major cities.

Why is the number 9/11 imprinted on our memories forever? Why are the Mumbai blasts still echoing in our ears? Is it because the western media didn’t let anyone sleep these events off?  Pakistan’s sovereignty was challenged for the first time by US drones on 19^th November 2008, Indian fighter planes violated Pakistan’s airspace on 13^th December 2008 – yet these are events the majority of us do not choose to include in our selective memories. Research proves that a human being has the retaining power of 6 days, beyond which selective memory kicks in. We decide to hold onto information which is relevant to our being or significant to us in some way and similarly discard pieces of information which are considered irrelevant or insignificant to us. Why is it then that events that have triggered national shock, pain and loss are tossed in the discarded bin for most of us? Will we not be the looser for forgiving and forgetting moments which challenged or threatened our very existence? History, however brief, has an uncanny way of exposing the least desired aspects when evaluated in retrospect – and ours unfortunately tells a tale of least resistance:  from the distribution of assets and resources at the time of partition, the ever present Kashimir issue, the relentless marshal laws, 1965 and 1971 wars, fall of Dhaka and losing East Pakistan, Afghan war, Zia’s regime, international pressures and sanctions, to the war on terror and escalating tensions with India.

It was not that I wanted to draw the curtains with pessimism, but more so a wakeup call, a cry to our conscience – to take a wounded nation as seriously as a personal injury, to understand that lest we bleed for the nation and rise up against tyranny, oppression and injustice – 2009, the coming year will only herald doom.  My guests, both Ms. Kishwar Naheed and Dr. Talat, scanned the pages of our 61 year history, and of our more recent past in the form of 2008, and pointed out what mustn’t be forgotten or discarded. We spoke of individuals aspiring for personal development and positive nation building and contribution – and amid the wonderful advice there was talk of hope, optimism, faith and discipline… so it is here, right now, with as much humility as I can muster, I urge you to jot down your New Year Resolution, including your resolve to add your little bit for Pakistan, a country taken for granted for far too long, but hopefully, not much longer!

I shall start with mine:

Meher Bokhari: New Year Resolutions

Personal: I resolve to improve my Urdu, become more steadfast in my prayers, start a sport, read more books, strive for a balance between my professional and personal life.  

National:  I resolve to continue addressing issues of national significance, use my platform for enhancing national spirit and highlighting the weaknesses we need to work on, mobilize the youth and give them a place to debate and talk, commit to teaching a less fortunate child for one hour every day.

What about you?!

A phenomenon as common as cousin marriages in Pakistan continues to thrive and go unquestioned to date. Consanguineous marriages flourish for reasons such strengthening family bonds and upholding castes, familiar value system and known circumstances, secured futures, retaining land, property and wealth within the family, decreased risks of divorce, issues regarding dowry etc. Based on this perceived economic and social security offered by consanguineous marriages the natural biasness is often overlooked, including the health hazards that accompany it: repetition of genes can cause genetic disorders and diseases (down syndrome, hemophilia, depression, blinding disorders, psychological defects, blood cancer, breathing problems for children at birth etc.), making the children more susceptible and prone to family hereditary diseases (A BBC report found that Pakistanis in Britain, 55% of whom marry a first cousin, are 13 times more likely than the general population to produce children with genetic disorders, and that one in ten children of cousin marriages either dies in infancy or develops a serious disability. Thus Pakistani-Britons, who account for some 3% of all births in the UK, produce “just under a third” of all British children with genetic illnesses). The fact that such marriages mitigate social networking and growth is another lost concept.  Interestingly, consanguineous marriages are not just a local phenomenon but a widely practiced custom in Asia, North Africa, South Asia, Middle East and some parts of China and Japan (Under the 31 state laws in USA, cousin marriages are completely banned or permitted only after the couple obtain genetic counseling or is beyond reproductive age or if one partner is sterile. In Canada, Europe and Asia no such laws exist. Interestingly, in some cultures it is viewed as incestuous). According to one report, Punjab and Baluchistan show a higher ratio of first cousin marriages (53-54.4% respectively) in comparison to Sind (49.7%) and NWFP (38.8%).  It was interesting as we received calls from both victims of the ‘successive inter-family marriage genetic explosions’ in the form of deaf and blind children but also from people wondering whether inter-family marriages should be avoided altogether. The point of addressing this topic was by no means to preach what is right or wrong, but in fact to highlight the health hazards which are often overlooked altogether. Even though it is believed that a gap of three generations significantly reduces the health risk in future generations, in light of new technology and science we recommend genetic screening if consanguineous marriages are to be carried out i.e. before marrying a close relative, the prospective couple must have a  complete medical checkup.  

On-Air:  December 24/25, 2008 {10am, 4pm, 3am (PST)}

“Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.” Jinnah of Pakistan by Professor Stanley Wolpert

What was Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan and what do you think we are forgetting today? Pakistan was created on the basis of Islam and democracy, why is it then that today we couldn’t be further from genuine Islam and genuine democracy? There are concepts of “benevolent democracy” or “modified dictatorship” as successful means of governance in Islam, how far are we from this kind of governance and how will it be made possible? We like to believe we’re a “spirited” nation, yet in times of great crisis we seem to have fallen prey to complacency. How would you justify this? When and what will be our wakeup call? What are our strengths and weaknesses as a nation at this point in time? What resources did Jinnah have in going against overwhelming odds in creating a miracle state, probably nothing compared to the resources and exposure we have today, yet we’re lacking character, sense of identity and integrity - why are we so scattered? How much strength does the youth of a nation have? Where does the youth of Pakistan stand today and what is expected of them? Agreed Jinnah was an epitome of great leadership, but for how long can we rest on our past laurels, why don’t we have a Mahatir Mohammad or Omar Torrez amongst us today? How and where do true leaders come from - are they made or are they born? What is character building, how is it done and why are we in desperate need of it today? At present we need a “second coming” of Jinnah, do we have such a savior present amongst us today? How can an average man walking down the street contribute towards improving the current affairs of Pakistan, how should he feel empowered?

These are some of the fundamental questions we often overlook and in celebrating Jinnah’s birthday on the 25^th December, I feel it is crucial to remind ourselves of the vision our leader had for us.  Where do you think we went wrong, what are we lacking, what do we need and how will we get it? Here is what some intellectuals/journalists/scholars had to say:

Rashid Rehman, Journalist

• Interpretation about Quaid is that he was a nationalist as Sarojini Naidu described Jinnah as an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity, but Jinnah didn’t like the procedure followed by Gandhi who used Hindu religious symbols( soul force and non-violence) for mass agitation against British in his SAWADESHI MOVEMENT,STAYAGARAH and SALT march(1927-28), Jinnah was in favor of peaceful ways.
• Jinnah’s expertise was in constitutional law; when he raised his voice against Gandhi’s style of agitation in Congress meeting 1927, he was snubbed there and then by all the Hindu congress members. Jinnah was heartbroken on the behavior of Hindus
• He attended ROUND TABLE (1930-31) by this time he was persuaded by Iqbal to join Muslim League, who himself was active in politics by then and was like Jinnah was disheartened by Hindu’s attitude towards the Muslims of sub-continent who were in minority
• Indian act came in 1935 and on its bases elections took place and in the parliament of 1937 Hindu’s of congress were in majority Muslim league also won few seats but no rights were given to the minorities thus congress claim to be secular was proved false
• Till the end Jinnah was eager for a united India free of British raj, provided that there was constitutional guarantee of the rights of the largest minority of India, therefore the clear demand of a separate nation is not seen in the LAHORE RESOLUTION 1940, 23^rd March
• In 1946, 10 years of guarantee was given to Muslims in a cabinet meeting deciding for British to leave but Nehru’s non-commital attidue after the meeting made it clear to Jinnah that the Muslim’s of the subcontinent needed a separate state
• As the decision of division was made in haste and the plan was not followed due to criminal approach of Mount baton more than 10 million people had to migrate from each side and more than a million were massacred
• Kashmir still the bone of contention, maybe not resolved at that time intentionally
• Pakistan grip on the matters was not strong and we lost hold of Kashmir and Bengal(1971) and dissatisfaction amongst the provinces took birth
• On 11^th august Jinnah spoke to the constituent assembly of Pakistan. That speech has a clear connotation that Pakistan is not going to be a strict theocratic state but all religions are free to follow their customs. Jinnah said “you are free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state”. Unfortunately this speech of Jinnah was censored and laws were made strictly under the guidance of Shariah and were made applicable to all, irrespective of religious affiliation. This speech also gives the idea that Jinnah’s Pakistan is secular, as he left the idea of united India because he could see the risk for minorities there but when Pakistan came into being he wanted to give freedom to all sects in his ideal state and for the first and foremost identity to be that of a Pakistani.
• Jinnah hoped that the relation between India and Pakistan would be like that of USA and Canada - one of peace, respect and open border relations. However, he realized in his life that the same was impossible given the single issue of Kashmir remained unresolved.
• Zia produced opportunism in this country, nationalism was very much present e.g. in the period of Yahya and Ayub, people were vocal, demanding and active in marching on the streets against both.
• The future of the youth and of Pakistan is one and the same, so youth has to work not for their own but as their progress is the progress of Pakistan.
• We need to seek the truth, dare to question, make an effort to debate and determine solutions. We need to adopt a critical approach with open and questioning minds.

Professor Dr. Mehdi Hassan, Scholar

• Nationalism could not be developed in Pakistan as we were not empowered as a nation by giving no real democracy, where there is no democracy no leadership can develop
• We lost Bengal which contributed a great deal in making and leadership of Pakistan, first resolution of Muslim League was passed there, MUALVI FAZAL-ul-HAQ , HUSSAIN SHAHEED SUHARWARDI and many active leaders belong to Bengal yet it was treated as a colony
• Youth was snubbed and democratic processes in colleges and universities in the form of student unions were banned during Zia’s rule (1983)
• Democratic process not only requires training of masses but trade unions, student unions and other local bodies
• Bureaucracy is not only to be blamed for overpowering our policy making -somebody had to fill the gap which was created by incapable politicians (all feudal) in making national policies
• We need a revised and localized education system and history writing, as the history which we know is distorted and molded according to specific mandates, individual choices and preferences
• Pakistan is not separate from this region of 5000 year old history which we share with India, culture was old but Pakistan was a new state and our government failed to identify with the old culture of which we were a part 61 years ago. Pakistan is a fake state, there is only name change
• Family politics must be abolished as choosing a head of the state according to the will of a dead party head is no democracy

Major Gen. (R) Jamshed Ayaz, President of Institute of Regional Studies

• In light of globalization, Pakistan is at the forefront on the war on terror as an ally of USA. This has its negative aspects given that our ally wants us TO DO MORE yet we ourselves are victimized. However, if we want we can use the situation in our favor by making strong long term policies
• Geographical situation of Pakistan is strange in that it makes us wanted and unwanted at the same time. Our neighboring countries: Irans interest is the gas pipeline project which is under negotiation, Afghanistan’s survival can be at stake without us providing them the supply line as it is a land locked country, India’s own stability depends on our stability (a substantial minority of Muslims) and China is our all weather friend
• Trust could never be developed between Pakistan and India since the calling back of army from Kashmir
• USA does not believe in winning hearts by politics and mind
• We need a leader who can speak the truth and make responsible policies. The need of the hour is diplomatic activity coupled with responsibility
• We must keep our defenses up - not only the army but the entire nation
• Pakistan is an important ally of USA, and there is now pressure on India to stop pressurizing Pakistan after Mumbai attacks, India must stop the spreading hoax and people like Murarji Desai, minister of Gujrat discouraged
• Material gains must end now and we must start thinking and working for collective gains
• We must identify ourselves with Pakistan
• Students, women, and intellects must come forward and take chance to change the scenario

Kishwar Naheed, Poetess/Scholar

• We went wrong in differentiating between east and west Pakistan. Bengal was denied a capital, Karachi was the declared capital which was then shifted to Islamabad- also in west Pakistan
• Power was never transferred to the provinces thus we lost Bangladesh for our negligence and now all provinces are crying out slogans against the federal government, including Balochistan and NWFP
• Our feudal leaders and governments never took ‘DANISHMANDA’ decisions thus made the ideal Pakistan into a disillusioned state
• Liaquat Ali Khan had invitation from Moscow but he preferred to visit USA first, he favored bureaucracy and it is said that the same bureaucracy plucked him out of its path
• Our injustice to Baluchistan is that we give it the budget according to its population (2%) but we ignore the fact that it has the biggest area of all (25%). By large Punjab gets all the privileges and benefits from the national budget
• Speech of Quaid-e-Azam at the opening of VALIQA TEXTILE MILLS: he was clear that this state is not for the people who want to make money but for those who build up industries to give more employments to the people of Pakistan
• Important speech at the opening of State Bank of Pakistan: Pakistan is not for rich to get richer but for people with intellect
• He visited Peshawar in 1943 with Fatima Jinnah, the tribal heads told him that Fatima Jinnah could not go on stage as it was against their customs. Quaid stopped right there and refused to head the procession until Fatima would not join him. He insisted that the making and future progress of Pakistan was impossible without women. This is the same place where schools and colleges for girls are being burnt and bombed today
• He was sent to a distant city from the capital - Ziarat. Being a bronchitis patient he still refrained from asking for special privileges. This discipline was the hallmark of our leader.
• Now what we need is not JANOON but SHAOR, AGAHI and RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS
• We need the courage of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi TV journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush
• Leadership will come from youth- provided they are given the knowledge and incentives, they will learn with time and hardships, but the people born with a golden spoon in the mouth will not make good for even themselves
• We need mature approach of mind and strict accountability for all.

I leave you with some words of the great Quaid:

“My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation”

On-Air: Friday, December 19, 2008 {10am, 4pm, 3am (PST)}

In a time and age when freedom of the press and the boldness of media know no bounds, social responsibility and awareness have taken on a new meaning altogether.  Just a few weeks ago, my parents hit the roof when I told them that for my Health Friday episode of the week I was going to address Menstruation called ‘Mahwaari’ in Urdu. I figured that it was crucial that I use my platform to raise a health issue so common to women all across the globe yet heavily tabooed in our part of the world. By no means did I wish to tear through cultural bounds of respect and decency, but what can one do - it’s an issue our women are constantly in need of more knowledge and information on. Rest assured, the episode was a huge hit! For todays Health Friday we addressed an issue that women are fortunately not in constant but are definitely desperate need of:  Ovarian Cancer. This is owing to the fact that not only are our medical experts ignorant of this second most common cancer for women after breast cancer, but also due to the lack of research, awareness and knowledge of this type of cancer.  The fact that ovarian cancer has no distinguishable or unique symptoms only makes it worse:

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