Backgrounder:
1. Trial of Genll.(retd) Pervez Musharraf by a Special Court under article 6 of the Constitution for treason has become quite a controversy and divided the public opinion sharply. Those in favor of the trial say that an example need to be set so that in future no General dares to do such a thing. Those against the trial , say that this is nothing but an act of revenge by miffed Nawaz Sharif who was ousted and exiled by the General in 1999. People argue that this trial will not only displease and embarass the Army, but also insult Pakistan as a Nation. If Musharraf has to be tried, so should all the accomplices, many of whom are part of Government today, and also includes Army top brass and Judiciary as well.
2. Re-appointment of Najam Sethi as PCB Chief is another controversy that has caused high decibel debate in the Pak media. Najam Sethi , a prominent journalist was appointed by PM Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, but had to vacate the seat following HC judgment in favor of the erstwhile Chairman appointed by AA Zardari. Nawaz Sharif over ruled the same and re-appointed Sethi once again. This has caused quite a controversy, fuelled by Imran Khan's statement that Sethi has been rewarded for the favors done by Sethi as Caretaker CM of Punjab during the General Elections. There is a rumour of an intercepted telecon in which Sethi is allegedly heard talking to PM that he has "fixed 35 punctures" which is being interpreted as fixing 35 districts of Punjab for the favorable elections.
Other News:
1. Faisal Raza Abdi, very outspoken,controversial PPP Senator who resigned recently, and Mubasher Luqman , another controversial Tv journalist well known for his show "Khara Sach" on ARY News. discussed many irregularities committed by Ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Chaudhry, incldg the unexamined affairs of his son, Crores worth of mansion being constructed etc. Abdi also feels strongly about the reluctance of present Govt in building Iran-Pak Gas pipeline and Gawadar port link.He feels this negligence will cost Pakistan dearly.
2. Execution of 23 FC soldiers by Taliban and attack on Police Bus in Karachi have lead to suspension of peace talks with TTP. Many feel that Pak Govt is talking from a position of weakness and is not projecting its strength as a result of which TTP are talking advantage of and are making outrageous demands. It is being said that the talks are not a solution, based on optimistic hopes have no chance of success since they dont take into account the hard realities on ground. There is no clarity,&unity of thought even within the Govt, as well as in the Civil Society, and TTP is taking full advantage of this confusion.
3.Abdul Basit (1982 batch) who expected to be the next Foreign Secy, is instead being sent to India as the next Ambassador in March.
4. Right wing extreme, lead by Zaid Hamid is advocating that Pak should declare US as an enemy state and deal accordingly since US is carrying out an undeclared, covert war against Pakistan by drone attacks, and covert support to TTP & RAW to support violence and turmoil in Pakistan. It is surprising that extreme rightists like ZH and Lt.Gen Hamid Gul etc. have a constituency of their own in Pakistan and many people admire them for the firebrand nationalism.
Tailpiece: If any Indian who is a Hindi movies & music buff like me observes the life of middle class Pakistanis, he cannot but wonder, how can this country be so hostile an enemy when morning to evening, they breath and live Hindi films, filmstars and film music. Hindi film music presence is so over whelming in all spheres of life includig as background music to TV programs, even News & Current affairs programs, Talent shows like Pakistan Idol, popular TV shows like Khabarnak and Hasbehal etc. are riddled with references to and siging of Hindi film songs & there is not even an iota of hesitation. Bollywood is so much a part of their life, even more than ours in India!
1. Trial of Genll.(retd) Pervez Musharraf by a Special Court under article 6 of the Constitution for treason has become quite a controversy and divided the public opinion sharply. Those in favor of the trial say that an example need to be set so that in future no General dares to do such a thing. Those against the trial , say that this is nothing but an act of revenge by miffed Nawaz Sharif who was ousted and exiled by the General in 1999. People argue that this trial will not only displease and embarass the Army, but also insult Pakistan as a Nation. If Musharraf has to be tried, so should all the accomplices, many of whom are part of Government today, and also includes Army top brass and Judiciary as well.
2. Re-appointment of Najam Sethi as PCB Chief is another controversy that has caused high decibel debate in the Pak media. Najam Sethi , a prominent journalist was appointed by PM Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, but had to vacate the seat following HC judgment in favor of the erstwhile Chairman appointed by AA Zardari. Nawaz Sharif over ruled the same and re-appointed Sethi once again. This has caused quite a controversy, fuelled by Imran Khan's statement that Sethi has been rewarded for the favors done by Sethi as Caretaker CM of Punjab during the General Elections. There is a rumour of an intercepted telecon in which Sethi is allegedly heard talking to PM that he has "fixed 35 punctures" which is being interpreted as fixing 35 districts of Punjab for the favorable elections.
Other News:
1. Faisal Raza Abdi, very outspoken,controversial PPP Senator who resigned recently, and Mubasher Luqman , another controversial Tv journalist well known for his show "Khara Sach" on ARY News. discussed many irregularities committed by Ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Chaudhry, incldg the unexamined affairs of his son, Crores worth of mansion being constructed etc. Abdi also feels strongly about the reluctance of present Govt in building Iran-Pak Gas pipeline and Gawadar port link.He feels this negligence will cost Pakistan dearly.
2. Execution of 23 FC soldiers by Taliban and attack on Police Bus in Karachi have lead to suspension of peace talks with TTP. Many feel that Pak Govt is talking from a position of weakness and is not projecting its strength as a result of which TTP are talking advantage of and are making outrageous demands. It is being said that the talks are not a solution, based on optimistic hopes have no chance of success since they dont take into account the hard realities on ground. There is no clarity,&unity of thought even within the Govt, as well as in the Civil Society, and TTP is taking full advantage of this confusion.
3.Abdul Basit (1982 batch) who expected to be the next Foreign Secy, is instead being sent to India as the next Ambassador in March.
4. Right wing extreme, lead by Zaid Hamid is advocating that Pak should declare US as an enemy state and deal accordingly since US is carrying out an undeclared, covert war against Pakistan by drone attacks, and covert support to TTP & RAW to support violence and turmoil in Pakistan. It is surprising that extreme rightists like ZH and Lt.Gen Hamid Gul etc. have a constituency of their own in Pakistan and many people admire them for the firebrand nationalism.
Tailpiece: If any Indian who is a Hindi movies & music buff like me observes the life of middle class Pakistanis, he cannot but wonder, how can this country be so hostile an enemy when morning to evening, they breath and live Hindi films, filmstars and film music. Hindi film music presence is so over whelming in all spheres of life includig as background music to TV programs, even News & Current affairs programs, Talent shows like Pakistan Idol, popular TV shows like Khabarnak and Hasbehal etc. are riddled with references to and siging of Hindi film songs & there is not even an iota of hesitation. Bollywood is so much a part of their life, even more than ours in India!
