Fatima Bhutto Blasts Imran Khan

By Margherita Stancati

Aamir Qureshi/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Imran Khan at a book launch in Islamabad, Pakistan on Jan. 8.

There was a short-lived rumor last month that Fatima Bhutto was flirting with the idea of joining Imran Khan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday, she made it clear this was unlikely to happen. Ever.

Ms. Bhutto accused Mr. Khan of defending the legacy of former dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, who came to power in the late 1970s after overthrowing Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Fatima’s grandfather and the founder of the country’s ruling Pakistan People’s Party. She also mentioned Mr. Khan’s support for a 2002 referendum allowing Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who had come to power with a coup a few years earlier, to extend his term.“He has an incredible coziness not with the military but with dictatorship,” Ms. Bhutto said of Mr. Khan, a cricket legend-turned-politician who has been billing himself as the face of change in Pakistan.

That’s not where it ended. In what appeared to be a well-rehearsed argument to debunk the political credibility of the former cricket captain, Ms. Bhutto went on to list more reasons why she opposed his political foray.

“As a woman I worry very much about Imran’s politics,” said Ms. Bhutto. She spoke of his opposition to amending a 2006 woman’s bill in favor of victims of rape. She also questioned Mr. Khan’s commitment to secularism and to defending minorities.

“Is he a savior? No, I don’t think so,” said Ms. Bhutto during a Pakistan-focused session at the literary festival.

“Well, that’s the end of Imran Khan,” said news anchor Karan Thapar, who moderated the panel.

Mr. Khan’s political weight, long dismissed as irrelevant, started to gain new relevance in recent months.

Although he started his party more than 15 years ago, only now is it starting to gain traction. On Christmas Day, over 100,000 people turned up to his rally in Karachi, where he vowed to stand up to the U.S. and to fight corruption. 

In October, he drew an even larger crowd in Lahore, leaving some wondering whether the next general elections, slated for 2013, may “mark the moment that PTI went from being ridiculous to respectable in the mainstream,” as an article in The Caravan magazine recently noted.

Mike Clarke/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Fatima Bhutto at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong on March 3, 2008.

At the literary festival, where Ms. Bhutto shared a stage with the Pakistani-American historian Ayesha Jalal, the tone was one of disillusionment with Pakistan’s political class. Ms. Bhutto spoke of the “gulf” that exists between the people in power and the rest of the country, saying that food scarcity – not squabbles between institutions –  is the bigger worry for most people.

Despite her political lineage (another former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was her aunt), Ms. Bhutto has long eschewed direct involvement in national politics. Best known as a writer and a journalist, Ms. Bhutto hasn’t spared members of her family in her political critiques. Her “Songs of Blood and Swords,” a 2010 memoir centered on the Bhutto dynasty, exposedfeuding in her family and was damning of her late aunt.

Spokespersons of Mr. Khan’s PTI party did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Attempts to reach Mr. Khan or his spokespersons by phone were unsuccessful.

You can follow Margherita and India Real Time on Twitter @margheritamvs and@indiarealtime.

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Voices from Pakistan: Controversial author Fatima Bhutto speaks out about India's western neighbour

Oprah might have been the big attraction at Jaipur Literature Festival on Sunday, but a few metres away a packed house got a glimpse of two famous visitors from across the LoC. 

Controversial Pakistani author (and Benazir Bhutto's niece) Fatima Bhutto and renowned historian Ayesha Jalal spoke about the complex dynamics of India's ever-turbulent western neighbour at a panel featuring a huge audience - and a very vocal cow. 

'A nod of agreement from a cow,' said panel moderator and television talk show host Karan Thapar, after a loud 'moo' interrupted Bhutto's assertion about the immense gulf that separates the powerful and the ordinary in Pakistan. 'That's a very holy thing in India.' 

The cow would make itself heard a few more times after the first 'moo,' particularly joining in with the audience's loud applause when Bhutto made clear her distaste over the rise in popularity of another Pakistani who is well-known on this side of the border. 

'Is he (Imran Khan) a saviour?' Bhutto asked and answered her rhetorical question, to sustained applause, with a 'No, I don't think so.' She listed a number of strikes against the World Cup-winning playboy cricketer-turned-politician whose anti-establishment message has been gaining tremendous popularity. 

'As a woman, I worry very much about Imran's politics. I worry about a person who voted against the Women's Bill in 2006,' Bhutto said, informing the audience about the legislation that attempted to amend - to some extent - a Pakistani law that holds rape victims guilty of adultery. 

She questioned Imran's credentials as a genuine alternative to the current political class, saying he didn't seem to be any different from the pro-Army, pro-Islamist characters who dominate Pakistani politics. On a lighter note, she also critiqued the effect the former cricketer is having on the country's punditry. 

'We've got this enormous country with so much in it, and we only seem to be able to talk in cricket metaphors,' Bhutto said to laughs. 'It's embarrassing.'

The problem with Pakistan, for Bhutto, is that the political class is too far removed from the issues that affect people on the ground - the lack of food, devastating floods and the conspicuous absence of energy distribution. 

Jalal, who teaches South Asian history at Tufts University, agreed. She pointed out that despite Khan's apparently unending support, his party had already began making compromises by accepting politicians who didn't share his outsider status. 

'I don't see a major change. What we see is parliamentarians and politicians seeing him (Imran Khan) as the horse to bet on,' Jalal said. 'Which will hurt Imran. It will tie his hands.'

As an alternative, Jalal suggested that Bhutto could get into the political game. 'Fati can join a party. I will join her,' Jalal said, before Bhutto interjected saying she wouldn't do that. 

'The difference between Pakistan and India is in terms of structures and institutions,' Jalal said. 'India has institutions that function. In Pakistan, the only institution that functions is the army. What you're witnessing now is that uncertainty because change is in the air. Still, I think that the army will continue to be the final arbiter for years to come.' It was grim thought to carry back home.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2090367/Fatima-Bhutto-Controversial-author-speaks-Indias-neighbour-Pakistan.html#ixzz1kGpTyPL0

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Court validation required for immunity: Ramday

KARACHI: Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice (retired) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said that in order to claim immunity one has to appear before the Supreme Court. 

He further said that even former President Pervez Musharraf had asked for immunity and had not made a decision while sitting at home. 

Ramday who was speaking to Geo News’ senior anchor Kamran Khan said the NRO review petition did not state anything about immunity. 

‘The NRO case only motioned the letter written by Attorney General in 2008.’ 

Commenting further on the letter written to Swiss authorities, the former Supreme Court Judge said this had no relation to criminal cases. 

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Old Pics of our politic / Sport's person

Mr. Nawaz Shareef

Mr. Musharraf With his Wife

Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilanni

Here comes the REAL star "Shahid Khan Afridi"

Most left corner Waseem Akram 

Quaid e azam's wife in 1918.

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Hasb-e-Haal – 21st January 2012

Junaid Saleem with Sohail Ahmed and Najia in a latest and hilarious episode of Hasb-e-Haal from Dunya TV.

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Zardari is the biggest dacoit of Pakistan: Imran Khan

Zardari is the biggest dacoit of Pakistan: Imran Khan

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ڈاکٹرعافیہ کینسرکاشکار،حاملہ ہونے کی اطلاعات!

کراچی: امریکی قید میں موجودپاکستانی سائنٹسٹ ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی اپنے ساتھ  روارکھے گئے سلوک کی وجہ سے دوران قید کینسر کا شکاراورمبینہ زیادتی کے سبب حاملہ ہو گئی ہیں۔

دی نیوزٹرائب سے گفتگو میں کینسراورجنسی ذیادتی کے بارے میں عافیہ صدیقی کی بہن ڈاکٹر فوزیہ صدیقی کا کہناتھا” ہیوسٹن کے پاکستانی قونصل جنرل سے علم ہوا ہے کہ عافیہ کینسرکاشکارہیں اس سے قبل یہ اطلاعات بھی موصول ہوئی ہیں کہ وہ مبینہ زیادتی کے سبب حاملہ ہو گئی ہیں لیکن پاکستانی سفارت خانہ ان اطلاعات کی تصدیق یا تردید کے لئے کردارادانہیں  کر رہا“۔

2011ء میں 86برس کی سزا پانے والی ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کے ساتھ پیش آنے والے افسوسناک واقعے کے متعلق فوزیہ صدیقی نے بتایا”امریکہ سے معزول کئے گئے پاکستانی سفیرحسین حقانی نے جس روزعافیہ کی کیفیت کا بتایا اس کے اگلے روزوہ واپس بلا لئے گئے۔ ہیوسٹن میں تعینات پاکستانی قونصل جنرل عاقل ندیم نے رابطہ کرنے پربتایاہے کہ وہ جیل کے ڈاکٹرز سے عافیہ کے علاج کے لئے درخواست کر رہے ہیں،لیکن راس ویل نامی جیل سے منسوب تمام تر کہانیوں کی موجودگی اورکینسرجیسے مرض کے بعدیہ درخواست ناکافی ہے“۔

انہوں نے مطالبہ کیا کہ ”پاکستانی سفارتخانہ عافیہ کے علاج کے لئےڈاکٹرزکی ٹیم مہیاکرنے کی بات کرے جس میں جیل معالجین کے علاوہ پرائیویٹ  ڈاکٹرزبھی شامل ہوں“۔

امریکا میں نئی تعینات ہونے والی پاکستانی سفیرشیری رحمن سے رابطہ کئے جانے کے باوجودجواب نہ ملنے پر شاکی فوزیہ صدیقی کاکہناتھا”امریکہ جانے سے قبل شیری رحمن نے عافیہ کے لئے ہر ممکن اقدام کرنے کی یقین دہانی کروائی تھی“۔

ان کاکہناتھا کہ خواتین جیل میں ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کے حاملہ ہو جانے کی اطلاع پر ہمیں بتایاگیاہے کہ ان میں ایسی علامات پائی گئیں۔

ڈاکٹر فوزیہ صدیقی نے پاکستانی وامریکی حکام سے یہ اپیل بھی کہ ان کی والدہ شدید بیماری کے بعداب بولنے کے قابل ہو چکی ہیں عافیہ کی ان سے بات کروائی جائے۔

پاکستانی خاتون سائنسدان ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی امریکی جج رچرڈ برمن کی جانب سے 86سال کی سزاسنائے جانے کے بعد بدنام زمانہ راکس ویل نامی مقام پر قید رکھی گئی ہیں ۔امریکی ریاست ٹیکساس میں واقع  جیل نما طبی مرکز جسے خواتین کے لئے بدنام زمانہ جیل کی شہرت حاصل ہے قیدیوں کی پراسراربیماریوں اور اموات  کے باعث انتہائی مشکوک شہرت رکھتاہے۔

علاوہ ازیں یہاں مقید خواتین کے ساتھ جنسی ذیادتیوں کی اطلاع عام کرنے پر doctor Roger Guthrieنامی معالج کو ملازمت سے برخواست کیاجاچکاہے۔

مائیکل ملر نامی گارڈ جنسی ذیادتی کے متعدد واقعات میں ملوث رہنے پربرطرف ہو چکاہے جب کہ کینسرکاشکارمریضہ علاج نہ کئے جانے کے سبب طویل عرصہ کسمپرسی کے عالم میں جینے کے بعدانتقال کر چکی ہے۔

برطانوی صحافی اورانسانی حقوق کی سرگرم کارکن ایوان ریڈلی عافیہ صدیقی کی اتنی طویل سزاکو”موت کےکنارے“قراردے چکی ہیں۔

پاکستانی سیاست دانوں کے عافیہ صدیقی کے متعلق اختیارکردہ رویہ سے ناراض فوزیہ صدیقی کا کہناتھا”جب تک عافیہ صدیقی سامنے آکرکھڑی نہیں ہو جاتی اس کے متعلق ہر بات ہی طفل تسلی لگتی ہے،البتہ مجھے اور قوم کو ان سیاستدانوں پر افسوس ہے جنہوں نے عافیہ کے نعرے لگا کر اپنے قد بلند کئے“۔

ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کی بہن فوزیہ صدیقی کا کہناہے کہ امریکی قید میں موجو دپاکستانی سائنٹسٹ خاتون اپنی والدہ سے کی گئی ٹیلیفونک گفتگو میں دی جانے والی غذا کے معیاراوراس سے طبیعت خراب ہونے کی متعدد شکایات بھی کر چکی ہیں۔

معروف پاکستانی صحافی اور ٹیلی ویژن شوز کے میزبان ڈاکٹر عامر لیاقت حسین کا کہناہے”عافیہ صدیقی کوکینسرہوجانے کی اطلاع امریکیوں ہی کے ذریعے ملی ہے اوروہ چاہتے ہیں کہ عافیہ صدیقی کو مار دیاجائے“۔

عامر لیاقت حسین کا کہناتھا کہ عافیہ صدیقی کی رہائی کے لئے امریکا سے لڑنا ضروری نہیں وہ ایک حقیقت ہے توپاکستان بھی ایک حقیقت ہے ،سفارتی مہم یا بین الممالک تعلقات کو استعمال کر کے ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کو رہاکروایاجا سکتاہے۔

گوگل کے ملکیتی ویڈیوپورٹل یوٹیوب پراپ لوڈ کی گئی ویڈیو میں ڈاکٹر عامر لیاقت نے بھی اس بات کا انکشاف کیاہے کہ عافیہ صدیقی جیل میں کی گئی ذیادتی کے سبب حاملہ ہو ئی ہیں۔

دوزبانوں میں خبریں وبلاگز فراہم کرنے اورپاکستان میں وزٹ کی جانے والی سب سے بڑی نیوزویب سائٹ دی نیوزٹرائب نے امریکا میں تعینات پاکستانی سفیرسے موقف جاننے کے لئے ای میل پر رابطہ کیا ہے تاہم  ان سطورکی اشاعت تک  پاکستانی سفارت خانے اور ہیوسٹن کونصلیٹ کا کوئی جواب موصول نہیں ہوا۔

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Aruba Rao Another Pakistan’s Youngest MCP

Lahore: There is lots of talent in Pakistan. Aruba Rao is one of them. She is another Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) from Pakistan. Aruba Rao from Sargodha, Punjab, a student and computer prodigy who became MCP at the age of 11.

She hails from a highly educated family from Pakistan. her father Ahmed Faraz Rao is also Microsoft Certified Engineer (MCSE) and serving in Sindh Police. Aruba is the niece of Rao Nafasat Jamil (Editor Daily Jang Lahore) and Miss Ghazala Rao, professor Air Base Inter College Sargodha.

Her elder brother Shahnawaz Rao and sister Sara Rao are also Microsoft Certified. Her grandfather Rao Jameel-ur-Rehman (of Phularwan, District Sargodha) served as gazetted officer in various Departments under Provincial Government.

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Objection, m’lord!

By:Nasim Zehra 

Rein in the rabble-rousers, please

At the end of the first day of the Supreme Court hearing for the contempt notice issued to the prime minister, there was both relief and concern. Relief, because the panic over whether the contempt notice could be the harbinger of the prime minister’s exit from his post, subsided as the issue seemed to be proceeding along legal grounds. However the issue of concern that stared us in the face as our Dunya News team spent hours on the Supreme Court premises covering the high priority story for millions of Pakistanis, was one of the violation of the sanctity of the Supreme Court.

And ending of this violation, is in the hands of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, who is also the administrative head of the Supreme Court.

In the clear view of dozens of television cameras and even more journalists, contrasting with the inside calm of the court room proceedings was the stormy and aggressive sloganeering, taking place at the main door of the Supreme Court building. To our surprise, a partisan position was adopted and projected by some lawyers who began with raising pro-CJP slogans. Some lawyers responded with pro-PPP slogans. And then the crowd of pro-CJP lawyers began to expand as more lawyers walking in from the main gate and some agitated one from a side entrance, joined in. Intermittent chants of “Chief teray jaan-nisaar bay shumaar bay-shumaar”, “Hakumat kaa jo yar hai ghadaar hai, ghadaar hai.” were hurled , in louder and more aggressive tones.

Office bearers of the Islamabad bar council led this crowd of lawyers. They have earlier sent out emails and text messages urging the lawyers to come to the SC premises in support of the CJP. The following text message was sent to the Islamabad Bar members, "Respectable Members of Islamabad Bar, come forward and reach Hon'ble Supreme Court of Pakistan on 19.1.2012 at 9AM to show your commitment for the Rule of Law and respect to the Hon'ble Superior Judiciary of Pakistan. Syed Javed Akbar Advocate, President Islamabad Bar...)". In many cases where the judges did not appear in their court room, the court staff informed inquiring lawyers that only important matters will be heard after 12 since the lawyers were protesting outside the SC. So the gathering on the premises was not merely accidental.

This rallying for the CJP has not only been a consequence of the habit sown in 2007 but indeed of the power play that has since ensued and in which the Supreme Court appears to be a player. However no less may have the government’s approach of dealing with the Supreme Court via Babar Awan sahib’s attacking and aggressive, no less disrespectful, tactics contributed to this lawyers’ politicking for the CJP. The Supreme Court sits in the middle of Pakistan’s politics with the government considering it biased against it while the opposition considers him the man who has a medicinal role for an ailing Pakistan.

While we all await the Supreme Court hearings, there is an important and related issue on which the Honourable Chief Justice should in his own wisdom and his commitment to upholding the dignity of the Supreme Court, pass an immediate order.

Irrespective of which political party or which judge such a gathering supports, it undermines the institutional dignity of the Supreme Court. The CJP surely wants to rise above all divides. He derives his mandate to facilitate the upholding of justice from the constitution, and not from sloganeering lawyers or even from political parties threatening long marches and tsunami marches.

This is not the Pakistan of 2007 in which the populist muscle became imperative because of the military ruler’s violation of the constitution and of the Supreme Court. In today’s Pakistan, the Supreme Court’s intrinsic authority and muscle, which is derived from the constitution itself, must be banked upon.

Now the incumbents too, including the chief executive, have switched to a more respectful and constitutionally mandated-attitude towards the Court. In the days ahead, while there will be intense legal battling within the Court rooms, can we request the Honourable CJP to kindly ban, with immediate effect, all gatherings and sloganeering by lawyers, to send a message to the Pakistanis of his own neutrality and credibility. The constitution and not his jaanisaars should be the source of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s strength.



The writer is the host of Policy Matters and Director Current Affairs Dunya News. She is also a Fellow of the Asia Centre at the Harvard University.

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IndiaTv Report on Victory of Pakistan against England in Dubai 2012!

IndiaTv Report on Victory of Pakistan against England in Dubai 2012!

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