AZM-E-ALISHAAN

No flour
No rice
No sugar
No electricity
No water
No gas
No education
No healthcare
No jobs

Today is Pakistan Resolution Day.

While most networks opted to show song & dance performances all day----none of these sissy dancers can help us escape the plague that has stricken this country.

The only thought provoking message was by Anwar Maqsood and his play entitled ''32 March''.

But, I guess, that's the nexus of all our problems---we've stopped thinking. We've stopped realizing that we can do something.We've stopped raising our voices against this decrepit situation that is turning itself in to king cobra preparing to swallow us whole.

But, as this cobra is rearing its head--there is still time. Time to evoke our thougths and turn them into actions.

ZINDAGI

Bar tar az andesha-e-sood-O-ziyaan hay Zindagi

Hay kabhi Jaan aur kabhi tasleem-e-jaan hay Zindagi

Tu issay Paimaana-e-Imroz-O-fardaa say naa naap

Javedaan, Pehamm dawaan, Har damm jawaan hay Zindagi

Apni dunyaa aap peda kar agar zindoun main hey

Siir-e-Adam hay, zameer-e-kun fikaan hay Zindagi

Zindagaani ki haqeeqat Koh-kunn kay dil say pooch

Joo-e-sher-O-teesha-O-sang-e-giraan hay Zindagi

Bandagi main ghatt kay reh jaati hay ik joo-e-kamm aab

aur aazaadi main behr-e-bay karaan hay Zindagi

Aashkaaraa hay yeh apni quwwat-e-taskheer say

garchay ik mitti kay paikar main nihaan hay Zindagi

Qulzum-e-Hasti say Ubhraa hay tu maanind-e-Hubaab

Iss ziyaan khaanay main teraa imtehaan hay Zindagi

 

Ho sadaqat kay liyeh jiss dill main marnay ki tarrap

Pehlay apnay paikar-e-khaaki main jaan paidaa karay

Phoonk daalay yeh zameen-O-aasmaan paida karay

Aur khaakistar say aap apna jahaan paida karay

Zindagi ki quwwat-e-pinhaan ko kar day aashkaar

Taa yeh chingaari farogh-e-javedaan paida karay

Khaak-e-mashriq par chamak jaaey misaal-e-aaftaab

Taa bidakhshaan phir wohi La'al-e-giraan paida karay

Soe-e-girdoon naala-e-shabgeer kaa bhaijay safeer

Raat kay taaroun main apnay raazdaan paida karay

Yeh Gharri Mehshar kee hay tu arsa-e-mehshar main hay

Paish kar ghaafil, Amal koie agar daftar main hay

--Allama Iqbal

2010: 3 and Counting.........

The massacre on Monday and yesterday's twin bombings compel me one more time to wonder when this atrocious insanity will end.

While our lives are at risk and our children die everyday, the VIPs continue to pump up their security and enshrine themselves in their bullet-proof kingdoms.

As the Khadim-e-Punjab walks the halls of General Hospital show-casing his fake sympathies, I wonder why no one stops and asks him ''What use are you? What have you done to stop this? Stop telling us that you condemn these attacks. DO SOMETHING!"

While these weasels, who claim to be paragons of  democratic leadership, spend millions on lavish dinner parties and fornication of every kind imaginable, not a single penny is spent on providing a reasonable standard of health care, education, and utilities for the awaam. Job opportunities are becoming scarce...and even if something does appear on the employment horizon, it's immediately grabbed by someone who isn't qualified, has connections with the higher-ups, and is willing to rub his nose in the dirt for as long as his master commands. 'You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours' is the mantra.

The law that is being implemented in the name of "democracy" is based on the ideals of stealing, raping, and maiming this country. If the poor man becomes poorer and dies---who cares!...at least Fehmida Mirza was able to put new tires, worth Rs. 1,000,000, on her car .

"Good governance" (a term that even Firdous Ashiq Awan has learned to say in English) is spiked with corruption and deceit.

The country may not have collapsed yet, but it is most definitely crippled.

As the streets of Lahore bleed, the betrayal deepens. Our leaders have openly expressed their willingness to betray us, their own people, for the green colored paper that finds its way to their pockets. The sight and touch of it is ever more appeasing for the men in Islamabad, clad in their Armani suits and faggoty ties. Such is the power of lucre.

These bombings can stop and will stop. They will stop the day we unite. The day we stop fighting one another and realize that the real enemies are the thieves disguised as our leaders with their tentacles tightening their grip on our necks. The day we demand these wolves cough up and return the money they've looted from the country's treasury. The day our puppet leaders are ousted and accountability reigns as the only law.  The day we rise together and say "No more!"

The President, The Baby, and Rs. 500,000

No, this isn't a case of who came first.

This is a case of what money means to people, the integrity (read: lack of integrity) of a country's President, and a baby who couldn't wait to see the world.

Zardari brought traffic to a standstill several days ago just so he could fly by everyone on his way to the airport. But, things weren't so "still"....at least not inside the rickshaw that was taking a woman in labour to the nearest hospital. Her water broke and she needed to deliver this baby FAST! But, Zardari had to get to the airport FASTER!!

Not quite sure who made it first....but suffice it to say the woman ended up delivering her baby inside the rickshaw as Zardari whizzed past them. The traffic jam, the President created with his envoy, brought on a medical emergency that could have ended for the worst.

The baby pushed his way into the world and wasn't in any mood to wait till they got to the hospital. But then again, Zardari wasn't in any mood to wait around in traffic. Talk about impatience! But, who was justified?

Upon hearing that a baby was delivered in the traffic jam, the President smiled one of his usual weasel smiles and announced Rs. 500,000 be given as a gift to the baby.

That's it? Just 500,000 rupees? And what about the other people? Especially the ones who get stuck in traffic for VIPs and are experiencing a heart attack or any other similar medical emergency? What about them? Shouldn't they get this kind of monetary compensation too? And by the way, has the woman actually gotten the Rs. 500,000? Is it in her possession at this time?

What I would really like to know is, is this the kind of leadership a country's President should have? Being indifferent to people's needs and realizing only when something cataclysmic happens. And for your information, Mr. President, people aren't sitting around waiting for you to throw your money at them. What was really needed was if you had left with enough time and driven through traffic like everyone else. Your overwhelming concern for your own life and safety turns this entire situation into a paradox, when you're face to face with a woman who is delivering a baby on the street. What about their lives? Their safety? So, essentially your half-hearted attempt of altruism...was just that---half-hearted! How do you justify yourself as a President of a country who ensures that extreme measures are taken for his own safety, while the safety of the public is obliterated. And throwing a couple hundred thousand rupees around isn't going to compensate for a single damn thing!

Animals That Rule The Land--Part II

Animals That Rule The Land

J.D. SALINGER

May you rest in peace Mr. J.D. Salinger.
1919-2010

Thank you God For My Hands

Yesterday was a beautiful winter day in Lahore. The sun was out, 70 F, with a slight cold breeze, but the sun cut through it and warmed up the day nicely. Driving in and out of the maniacal Lahori traffic brought me to my mom's alma mater. It's an amazing campus, and every time I visit, I fall in love with it all over again. The landscaping is alluring and the vastness of the campus is astounding. And so, just like me, the Ravians were out soaking up the sun's rays. It was a great day to be out! And what better place to enjoy it than amidst the towering palm trees and blooming seasonal flowers that beckoned one and all to sit, take a load off, breathe, and just take it easy for a moment and smile at how great this day is. My dad had a meeting to attend, and I gladly agreed to wait outside.

Every student was so at ease in this environment......faces beaming and proud to be Ravian. Everyone was busy going their way. There was a special calm about the place that was charming. And it's always like this whenever I visit. The campus always has this picture-perfectness about it. And it was right then that I spotted her. Among all the trendy dressed students, she was no different. Wearing a blue shalwar kameez with striped sweater and blue dupatta. Her hair medium length. She was in a hurry. Her heavy bag seemed to be slowing her down, but she was determined to make it to class on time. Her friends---2 girls and 2 boys, were busy revising the lecture they attended the day before. Someone asked the time, and she pulled up her sleeve to check her watch. "11:15", she said. She wore her watch on her left arm.....that arm had a hand with a thumb and one finger. Her right hand was also not completely formed. She had a congenital deformity of both her hands known as radial clubhand. It wasn't something out of the ordinary for me to see. My profession entails all this. However, what struck me was how well she fitted in with all the other students. She was, like a majority of physically challenged individuals, very confident and not conscious of her disability. Except for her hands, she was just like every other girl, every other student, every other Ravian. 

But, what I mostly realized were my hands. And the next thing that came to mind was how grateful I should be for this blessing. Just being grateful for this alone should wipe away all the moments of anguish I feel when things aren't working out the way I want them to. If God isn't bestowing upon me these things, then who cares?!......at least I have my hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hands that put food in my mouth, comb my hair, and put clothes on me. Everything we are and do is because of our hands, and never once do we stop to realize how easily our tasks are accomplished. So, thank you God. I have felt angry and upset one too many times when I don't get things I had planned and hoped for. But, really, all of my frustration and anger is futile and meaningless in face of this immense blessing---hands.

Punjab Healthcare Bill 2009: Mockery of the Healthcare System

Just when things couldn't get any dumber, they do. The Punjab Healthcare Bill 2009 is the dumbest thing that can happen to the healthcare system. The bill has been the cause of much dissent in the medical community for the last several weeks.

Aimed at "....regulating the unregulated healthcare sector in public and private sector with a view to curb unethical medical practice and improve the standard of healthcare in the province", the bill has innumerable shortcomings.

Here's some of what I want answered by the "genius" CM:

1. Why in the world, CM Sahib, did you need a foreigner to write this 150-page bill? I admit that you can't depend on the ineptness of a certain group of doctors, however, did you bother to realize that we're NOT all like that? And there are some of us who have the skills, expertise, and intelligence to draft this kind of bill....an even BETTER bill! I don't care how extensive Mike Naylor's experience may be, but no one can understand the on-ground realities better than the Pakistani medical doctor who lives and breathes these challenges on a daily basis. The fact that you had to panhandle for this too, is despicable. Why the incessant urge to turn to a foreigner every time you need a solution? Have you no faith in Pakistanis?
2. Your cronies insist that all stakeholders were consulted during the drafting of this bill. Are you sure? How come the PMA, the representative body, was left out?
3. "The ombudsman may undertake investigation into allegations of maladministration, malpractice or failures on the part of healthcare service providers................and will have the powers of a civil court in summoning any person, compelling the production of documents, receiving evidence on affidavits and issuing commission for the examination of witnesses. All executive authorities and law enforcement agencies of the government will act in aid of the health ombudsman." All this power to one person?? What qualifies him to undertake this position? What should his credentials be to qualify him as a health ombudsman? It has been visibly observed that individuals in similar authoritative positions have never had the academic qualification nor the moral acumen to raise the red flag on the institution they are hawk-eyeing.
4. "......an independent and separate entity completely free of external influence by the government or other channels, would inspect health facilities in public and private sector in an extremely impartial and systematic manner....." Amidst a series of corrupt institutions, how will you ensure the ombudsman and his team will be impartial and fair? I can safely say right now, the culprit doctors can and will easily pay off the ombudsman and ensure that allegations against them and their practice be immediately dropped. Everyone from the policemen to ministers are paid to look the other way. You cannot guarantee an overhaul of one system, when every other system is corrupt and its presiding authorities are easily bribed. This is about giving justice to patients, so fix the justice system first!
5. "It will neither recruit public employees nor have any direct operational link with the government to make it completely free of outside influence". Still not buying it. Hands down it's gonna be public employees and the "influence" is gonna be immense!
   
6. The bill is aimed at hospitals in the private sector as well. Does that mean Ittefaq Hospital will also be put under the spotlight?
   
7. Why not ensure facilities and services in the public sector first? This is where 95% of the population seeks healthcare from. But of course, you probably don't know that since every time you need a prescription you hop on a plane to London. By the way, then what was the point of building Ittefaq if you weren't even gonna use it for your own medical problems?
   
8. You have yet to regularize doctors working under the Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP). You want to re-vamp the system?....begin by honoring these doctors.
   

I hope there is a real crack down on the quacks and the doctors who are tarnishing this profession. But keep in mind, not all of us are like that! I'm all for accountability and responsibility. And there is no room whatsoever for negligence and carelessness when it comes to human life.

To those of us who work with total sincerity, professionalism, and commitment, we deserve adequate incentives. It is the lack of respect, insufficient salaries, and lack of quality post-graduate opportunities (that can bring us at par internationally) that forces so many of us to leave Pakistan and seek career advancement abroad. These issues need to be addressed just as urgently as revamping a healthcare system to improve the health services offered to patients.

And for god's sake put an end to the mushrooming of private medical colleges! They don't offer any quality medical education and are merely money-guzzling institutes. These medical colleges are the root cause of all the negligence that occurs in hospitals these days. We don't need an army of doctors who ultimately prove to be incompetent.

How Many More?

Rawalpindi Parade Lane Mosque: 40 dead and 80 injured today as they prayed the Friday prayer. Among the deceased: men, women, and children.

May they all rest in peace. Heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the relatives of the deceased. May Allah grant you the patience to endure this loss.

Prawn Curry and Collard Greens: A Defining Partnership

Last week, at the first state dinner of the Obama presidency, Manmohan Singh and Obama helped themselves to prawn curry, coconut flavored basmati rice, potato dumplings, and collard greens. While they savored the flavors and enjoyed the night away under a giant tent on the South Lawn of the White House with more than 300 guests, not a single media anchor in Pakistan bothered to analyze Singh's visit to the U.S.


"The relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century"....Obama said this not once, but twice. As Manmohan Singh cuddled up to Obama for the next 2 hours in the Oval Office, and finally got a chance to speak his heart out after India sat out for the longest time when W was running the show, we were too busy figuring out the Who's Who of the NRO list.


Not a single yapping political talk show host raised an eyebrow on what it was exactly that Singh was saying to Obama. Of all the foolish bickering and repetitive analyses that occurs on these shows, it wouldn't have hurt to finally talk about something important. Something that has legitimate consequences for Pakistan and is far more worthy of listening to than Firdous Ashiq Awan's characterisitic brute and crass yelling extravaganza.


The favoritism that America is playing cannot be ignored. Our country stands at a very critical moment in time. The war that our soldiers are fighting is not ours to begin with. In fact, it has no legitimate rationale. The daily deaths of 30, 50, 100 people in our cities is becoming a harsh and upsetting routine. Fact remains that the terrorism that occurs in our cities has been brought in. We're constantly compelled to answer questions on the international floor about issues that no one has a right to bully us about.


Someone needs to grow a backbone, more importantly a conscience, and stand up to all this. Our present leaders obviously will never. They are satisfied throwing rose petals at the feet of the US as they plan to trample us over. The game that India is trying to play cannot be allowed and should be stopped.


The considerable leeway that India gets from the US is appalling. And in all this time, Pakistan has been forced to stand in the corner. If we are the ally that US says we are, then when will we be treated like one?


Why is there no mention of the terrorism that occurs in India? A country, where an Australian missionary and his 2 sons are burned alive and thousands others for not being Hindu, should be questioned on its stance of "secular democracy".


The media can play a crucial role in thwarting and exposing India's deception. But, this can only happen if these narcisstic anchors can stop thinking about the ratings of their show, and start thinking about protecting this country.