Sympathy Votes!

Sympathy Votes!

How long Pakistan will survive on sympathy votes?

The recent sad incident of Pakistan Tehrik-e- Insaf chairperson Imran Khan, spread like fire on electronic and social media. He fell down from a lifter just few minutes before addressing one of his jalsa in Lahore and got injured.

Everyone irrespective of their political affiliation and differences showed their concern and prayed for a quick recovery of Imran Khan. Even those who are not supporting PTI were also worried and concerned about his health and recovery and prayed for his good health. 

He is good philanthropist and was a good cricketer too. Many people admire him as a social worker and are fan of his cricket, whether they agree with his politics or not.

President Asif Ali Zardari (PPP) and Nawaz Sharif chairperson (PMLN) called him and inquired about his health. Altaf Hussain chairman (MQM) cancelled his ongoing jalsa. Ex-CM Punjab Shahbaz Sahrif (PMLN) gave him a personal visit at SKMT and inquired about his health; both greeted each other with kind words.

What were their intentions, we don’t know, so let’s just don’t get into it leave the matters of intentions to Almighty. But apparently this gesture is highly appreciated. All this reveal another part of our society which I can proudly say is still “human”.

But having said that, turning or making this sad incident a part of PTI’s political campaign is something not appreciated at all. Repeatedly showing Imran’s few minutes interview from operation theatre and emotionally traumatizing people to vote for PTI at least now, is something I was not expecting from PTI.
More Imran Khan Videos 

Imran Khan should give clear instructions to PTI’s election campaign cell not to politicize this matter. We have the ability to win without sympathy. That would be highly appreciated. But sadly PTI too is doing the same thing of which PPP is expert i.e. sympathy votes.

Mariam Khan

Zindagi gulzar hai with Humsafar!

Zindagi gulzar hai with Humsafar!

Kashaf –Zaroon saga has taken this nation by storm once again, as both have become talk of the tinsel town, similar to Asher- Kharid love story (of Humsafar, last year hit by Hum TV). Girl from a middle class with upright values and self esteem and boy from upper class with all his pomp and show, glitz and glamour of the class he belongs to.

It is interesting to know that even men too watch Zindagi gulzar hai with the same eagerness.

One way or the other every girl identify herself with Kashaf (Sanam Saeed) and want to have a husband like Zaroon (played by Fawad Khan), the character played by Fawad is somewhat similar to his character in Humsafar. Same caring and loving husband, obedient son, rich and well mannered man (qualities of “perfect husband”). So one would definitely say “zindagi gulzar hai when you have a Humsafar like Zaroon” J

On the other hand whether every man wants to have a wife like Kashaf, (a woman with strong character) is debatable. Because there are certain things about men which you cannot predict, and what exactly they look in a woman particularly when it comes to marrying her.

Coming to the hardships and struggle of Kashaf for making both ends meet is little exaggerated. Everyone has ups and downs in his/her life but at the same time there are some lighter moments too, life cannot be cruel to one person all the time.

However, the story so far (till episode 19) is going well, though little drag , with little flaws, to mention one “Kashaf wearing swatch watch worth 14,000, right from her struggling days. The class difference between Zaroon and Kashaf has been portrayed quite well. The brother- sister fight between Zaroon and his sister Sara (played by Ayesha Omer) is very close to reality, anyone can relate to it comfortably.  Whereas Kashaf sister Sidra is little irritating at times.

In the end with all its flaws and fantasy no one can deny the fact that we all wait for Friday to catch the handsome Fawad and simple Sanam Saeed in Zindagi gulzar hai.

 Mariam Khan

Why I left PTI……..Now Justified!

Why I left PTI……..Now Justified!

Almost two years back, I took a conscious decision of leaving PTI. (Though I was not an official member) but was a supporter only. Rather a diehard supporter of PTI. And like many others, I too desperately wanted a “change”. So at that time (called it my immaturity) Imran’s rhetoric appealed me like any other immature youth.

Leaving PTI make me felt as if I committed a big sin or a blasphemy for sure. Because PTI’s supporters (trolls) targeted me with verbal abuse and filthy language etc (which is now one of the noted traits of PTI’s supporters). A part from filthy comments I also came across with few interesting remarks like “you will be dishonest with Pakistan if you don’t support Imran Khan” and “let him give a chance at least he will do something as he is an honest man”, “you will regret your decision of leaving PTI” etc.

But today, why I left PTI, is justified now. How? Within a short span of 2 years PTI exposed itself from time to time. Be it continued delay in party’s intra elections to the election rigging. Someone who always talks about free and fair election is incapable to have free and fair election in his own party…… with PTI our future is bright!

 From alliance with Sheikh Rasheed to the inclusion of opportunists and leftovers (of other parties) in the name of electable and trashing dedicated workers like Sherin Mazari etc.

From failed long march to Waziristan to MQM sponsored jasla of Karachi. And the last nail in the coffin was PTI’s support to Dr. Tahir ul Qadari.

In my previous article (Why I left PTI) I said “Trying something new is good only when it is useful and when it makes sense otherwise you will end up in more mess.”

With Imran Khan and his dream team of opportunists we will for sure end up in a bigger mess.

Mr. Khan and his so called political party (to me it is not more than a pressure group) is not in position to deliver. As Khan lacks leadership qualities and lacks decision abilities, most of the time he act as a (spoil) child on issues and PTI lacks coordination within itself. PTI is all about fashion and modernity and abusing others.

So for  all those who still think PTI will do wonders, and Imran Khan is the last “hope” must open their eyes and must have look  at PTI’s last 2 years and Imran Khan’s U turns to the important issues.

 Mariam Khan

Say No to Dowry!....Loud & Clear

Say No to Dowry!...Loud & Clear

We will not take dowry for our son, but whether we like it or not, or how against we are of it, we have to give dowry to our daughter.

What kind of contradiction is this? All these years I have witnessed, that you are not a gender biased mother. Then why such kind of discrimination between me and bhai (brother), said Sadia, talking to her mother in a surprising tone.

You will not understand how society works.

And I am not interested in understanding dual standards of our so called educated society, Sadia replied.

I will not take even a small thing like “pin” along with me in the name of dowry, whether you like it or not. For me a man is not a man enough if he accepts dowry, if he cannot afford then he should not marry anyone.

I will marry someone who will be interested in marrying me, the person not the package deal.

 What exactly is dowry?

Is it a mindset that you cannot marry your daughter without dowry?

Is it a self-imposed burden?

Is it our habit, culture, ritual or has some religious significance?

Taking or accepting or demanding dowry from girl’s parents shows our hollowness. It shows how shallow we are from inside. Taking dowry shows our lust and greed for material things and for all these material things we are ready to ignore every other thing, and in extreme cases we do not feel hesitation in killing a girl for the sake of dowry.

And unfortunately here (in case of dowry) we close our eyes and ears and brain from our religion and its teaching regarding “marriage and things related to it”. Yet we offer five daily prayers, with regularity and punctuality.

We are basically hypo crates to the core. How? On different talk shows, morning shows, on different social forums, in our casual conversations with friends and family, in our drawing rooms, we condemn “dowry” and labeled it as a shameful act. But when it comes to actually doing something practical for it, we beat the bushes”. And the most convincing answer from would be in- laws is “Maa baap apni khushi say joo dein apni beti ko” (whatever parents give with happiness to their daughter). But “khushi”, happiness is a relative term, and it has not limits, so where to put a full stop?

The excuse from girls parents, “susral walay izzat nahi kerain gain” (in- laws will not respect our daughter), if we send her without dowry. My question to all those parents, do they really think that such sort of respect is of any worth? No…It is better to give a shut up call to such demanding in- laws at first place.

Consequently we all are at fault and girls parents are also “equal partner in crime”, when they willingly send their daughters with dowry. It is high time that we actually say no to dowry, loud and clear.

Say no to “Dowry” the way we say no to “Drugs”!

Subsequently we should encourage, husband and wife should both earn together for their livelihood, rather than taking dowry to fulfill all your material wants overnight. This is not only ridiculous but pathetic too!

Mariam Khan

I am single and HAPPY too

I am single and Happy too

I am single and I am happy too but the people around me (a part from my family) are not happy with my single status. What to do? Are they seriously concerned about my happiness or they consider it their right to comment on “why I am still single?” Moreover, to show sympathy that I am not married yet. But my question to them is “what is their problem”? 

Peer pressure, societal pressure always forced girls and their family to end up in a miss match. And later on, such marriages result into divorce and separation. Therefore, it is extremely important not to get married because of pressure. It is better to be single than to end your life in a mess.

There was a time when the perfect age for girls’ marriage was 22-23 but (thanked God) now due to professional education and careers people do not mind getting their daughters married at the age of 26-27.Our society is accepting this trend, but (very) slowly.

Settling with someone just to please the society and to avoid the hurting comments, is not a fair deal. Getting married is not like taking admission in some college or university or for that matter enrolling oneself for some diploma course for a year or so. It is a lifelong decision and should be taken with conscious mind. Rather than emotions and sentiments.

Both boys and girls want a compatible life partner; they look for many things before getting into any relation. And I believe it is good because no one marry for a short period intentionally, so one should be open and careful about it in order to avoid difficulties and problems later on. Today marriages are neither arrange nor love but somewhere in between.

In addition, due to the advancement and development in different means of communication, people found a more easy way to get hold of their (perfect) match. Social networks, mobile phones, matrimonial sites etc. Co-education, working places all are also a good source of match making(if the person is serious). Because through all these means one got the opportunity to know the other person, other than the traditional ways of finding a match.

Therefore, those who are single and happy with it just do not bother what society thinks. Look for your happiness as we all have one life so enjoy it to the fullest. Be happy always.

Mariam Khan

When Insults had class!

There was a time when insults had class. People disagree with each other, but in a respectful manner. They insult each other but in a decent and profound way. They value the differences of their opponents. And that was a key to their success.
The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, “If you were my husband I’d give you poison.” He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

A member of Parliament to Disraeli: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.” “That depends, Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” – William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” – Moses Hadas

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend…. if you have one.” – George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.” – Winston Churchill, in response.

But today unfortunately, due to advancement in communication technology and social media particularly Facebook and Twitter, people don’t even think for a second before insulting and ridicule and disrespecting anyone……anyone. As there is no proper monitoring system and no code of ethics for social networking sites. To me these social sites are nothing but a platform where “you just spit, spill and show your filth to everyone”.

Why can’t we act decently?

Why can’t we disagree in a decent manner?

Where is our education?

Where are our religious, moral and ethical values?

Today Pakistanis and our youth (particularly) are divided into different political parties, and are fighting with each other (like anything) whereas our leaders both current and future are having their “sweet time”.

Therefore just take a pause for a moment (from your extremely busy life) and think what are we up to? (and it includes all of us). What are we doing? Where are we heading and what consequences we will have to face?

We as a nation are deteriorating and sinking on moral and ethical grounds with every passing second rather mili- second.

When we all can stand united as a strong nation for a “cricket match”, why not for our country “Pakistan”? Think over it! Change comes from within and all we need to do is to work on our inner souls.

We cannot have a “good leader” with this attitude of ours, because the fault lies within ourselves (within every individual) and only we can rectify it. And the day, when we will be successful in becoming a good human being…..good Muslim….and a good Pakistani then we will not need any leader because someone from us will lead us (In sh ALLAH)

“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion” Paulo Coelho

Therefore start respecting each other. Start valuing the differences of your fellow citizens. Rise up as a nation…..a nation comprised of honor, dignity, respect and people of amicable character. The world will respect YOU.

Mariam Khan

Social Media Harassment!

Social Media Harassment!

With every passing day, social media harassment by PTI’s supporters (proud social media abusers) is increasing. And I am afraid if Mr. Khan come into power, then a new “blasphemy law” will be introduce and according to that law, if someone utter anything against Mr. Khan, he/she will be hang or stone to death.

 

In recent past, many hateful and disrespectful campaigns were launched by PTI social media team, against almost everyone who dares to ask questions about PTI and Mr. Imran Khan, be it Sana Baucha (her abusive Facebook page Sana Bitch) Hamid Mir, Dr, A.Q. Khan, Attaul Haq Qasmi etc. People from different walks of life were targeted and harassed by PTI social media abusers.

And very recently I was going through the Facebook pages owned by PTI supporters and I came across with their new target, a 27 years old young man name Fawad Khalid khan. And I was quite amused how people on Facebook are malign this guy and why. And I failed to understand why this man is their new target, what offense he committed?

Finally I succeeded in finding out the reason with the help of an article written by Sarah Khan a fellow citizen.

Then I begin my research to find out why particularly this guy, who is not a celebrity, yet he is target and why PTI is so scared of him that they are going from pillar to post to malign this guy.

What my sister Sarah Khan has written, I truly respect her feelings, as we all wanted to see Pakistan as a prosper country. But my sister in your desperation of seeing Pakistan a better place, please do not try to malign anyone without knowing him/her completely. The character assassination of Fawad Khalid in your article shows your biased attitude. And I would not say that you have written all this, to distort or for some cheap publicity, or you are paid for writing it, definitely not, but don’t you think one should be extremely careful before spreading such kind of false propaganda and hatred against anyone.

We being the citizens of this country, we have full right and liberty to ask questions to our leaders, (only) …to our leaders only …..to our leaders only……be them from any party but targeting one person and that too on personal grounds, is not right, rather it is awful. It shows our hollowness and shallowness. It is high time that we youth should be united and start questioning our leadership. Instead of indulging our self into hatred against each other.

Sarah mentioned in her article that Fawad was an ex-APML and she was shocked to know this and so she raised questions about his character.

Sister, leaving one party and then joining another party does not proved anyone as a bad character, and if according to your article if someone is, then what would you write on Mr. Jinnah? He left “Congress” and later joined “Muslim League”. I hope you got my point. Think rationally and value the differences of your fellow citizens.

And don’t be shocked sister if he was supporting Musharraf in past. He himself one a public forum has said it openly that he was an ex-APML so there is no need to be shocked or surprised. It is more appropriate to say, that he was an ex-APML, is a fact, and now he is supporting PML (N) is a reality.

Here is a link in which he clearly said that he left APML and why. And to clear you further he left APML almost “year back not five months”. And it shows how research oriented article you have written. And just an additional advice sister, when you are writing something about someone “do proper research” before mud slanging anyone.

And I was more amazed by the comments on the blog, people without knowing anything about him start abusing him. The whole article was written on here say and without even a pinch of reality in it. And people are appreciating the blogger.

Someone commented on the blog

Muhammad Noman Alam Siddiqui19 May 2012 07:43

Great work Sara khan. Outstanding Blog. Needs people like you to present all the realities in front of common people.

My question is, “what kind of reality and what “great” work you people are talking about and praising about”? Does anyone dare to ask Sarah from where she gathered all the information? And started character assassination of Fawad? No one will ask her, because we are more interested in false propaganda.

Let us have a look who is “real” Fawad Khalid Khan?

A source of inspiration for many young, talented and educated youth.

We should be proud of Fawad Khalid Khan for his Innovative Targeting System. We should try to follow his footsteps to make our country proud! Rather targeting and harassing this young lad (who is a pride of Pakistan) without any concrete reasons.

The behavior of PTI’s supporters on different forums of social media has now become a serious matter, whether we like it or not but it is true. My one and only request to Mr. Khan (putting aside all the political brawls) please guide this youth and help them so that they don’t get astray.

Mariam Khan