THE CURIOUS CASE OF RAYMOND DAVIS.

“He reminds me of the man who murdered both his parents, and then when sentence was about to be pronounced pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan”

Abraham Lincoln.

Tensions escalated between the U.S. and Pakistan. The media had dubbed it “a diplomatic row,” but even then phrase is a gross oversimplification of the situation, which is now a convoluted, complex mess. The center of the controversy is an American allegedly named Raymond Davis who, on January 27, killed two brothers in Lahore, different news have entirely different points of views on the why part.

According to Mr davis statement, it was purely for self defense but other details and eye witnesses explain otherwise. The incident happened in broad daylight in part of Lahore called Mazang.

Two men on a motorcycle were shot dead by Davis ,as he explained that the men were attempting to rob him, according to the autopsy report the men were shot in the back, which contradicts Mr Davis’s statement of his reason.

Davis then radioed for backup whereupon four American men in a SUV ,with fake registration plates, attempted unsuccessfully to reach the scene. The driver of the Prado jumped the median on Jail Road, travelled against the oncoming traffic and ran over and killed a motorcyclist. Without stopping.

Raymond Davis also tried to flee the scene, but was caught by two traffic wardens ,a while later ,and subsequently handed over to the police .the footage of Mr Davis fleeing the crime scene was also circulating in many Pakistani news channels.

There is more to this than meets the eye unfortunately.

Firstly, the two brothers were killed by numerous shots in the back which clearly contradicts the attempted robbery scenario described by Mr Davis

Secondly, if Mr Davis wants to plea diplomatic immunity then why doesn’t his passport show the proper diplomatic credentials .

The situation gets even more suspicious and complex when one tries to dig more into it like why did

Raymond Davis lied about how he arrived at the scene. He stated in writing that he was coming from the embassy which was subsequently found to be untrue, when the police examined and found that the GPS in his car shows him to be coming from his residence, He later on changed his statement and claimed to be coming from the bank having withdrawn some cash.

In his car the police found in his car the Two 9mm handgun, a automatic Glock, which he used to kill the two men, and a berretta, flashlights, satellite phones, fake IDs ,ATM cards ,US consulate cards of Lahore and Peshawer, make up for multiple disguises,There was also a camera found in his car that held dozens pictures from various madrassas in Punjab. if you have ever seen any Hollywood spy thriller this type of equipment indicates to a CIA or MI5 agent but this isn’t movies and Mr Davis Isn’t Mr bond, James Bond.

Due to questionable diplomatic immunity Pakistani government are holding Raymond until further notice even under immense diplomatic pressure from USA so much so that President Obama himself called Pakistani authorities on Mr Davis’s behalf

In my own opinion Raymond davis is an American spy and thought he was being followed by Pakistani intelligence agency and in his paranoia he opened fire, Raymond davis’s car had a GPS chip which ,Pakistani government official said, was put there for the investigation of another Afghan case,this also brings into question the identity of the victims as maybe they were infact ISI agents made to follow him

and maybe Davis found out about this after they saw his do something incriminating enough to be killed for

In conclusion Davis should  have been tried for espionage,if found guilty through proper judicial process sould be dealt with appropriately and maybe then thorough a prisoner exchange deal get some beneficial outcome like extradition of Dr Aafia back to Pakistan .

Citizens screaming peace; Leaders screaming blood

The war scene has been existed since very ling. But nowadays, it has become more common and highlighted in many countries. At a national level, only the two countries that are at war would be facing impacts of war. But as whole, the world will also be facing difficulties. One factor of war is the psychological impact on the countrymen. They stay away from homes for long and their dead bodies are shifted to their homes. The parents, siblings and spouses have been waiting for their loved ones for long, but then their wait is ended with the dead bodies of the soldiers. Other than this, the war leads to frustration and more violence. People start brutal murders ad target killings within their own states and at individual level. These days countries should have now sensed that they need each other’s' co-operation and so cannot afford wars. Each economy has been made stronger with the alliance of different economies. An example can be the trade business of China and Pakistan. They are friends, because China is good at electronics and Pakistan is good in agriculture. So when they trade, they are benefited from each other’s resources. If we look at the historical background of war, we would see the attack on Hiroshima. Those bombs and chemicals made life a disaster for most of the generation and still have radical impacts on people. Children are born abnormal, physically. Politically, countries need each other to build their economy stronger and for trading purposes. Economic recession has been caused as now the countries hardly have any trade unions. The war has led to frustration in people. These countries should make any constructive plans and implement them to bring change by ending the war. If all nations have constructive plans to be implemented, then the element of dominance, fear, bloodshed, violence, all in one would be ended and so the war or series of war will come to an end. I may say that, for political reasons. Economic stability and international relations, the countries should be friends among themselves, because for survival of the nation, these three elements are important. We shall hope to see this time very soon!

South Waziristan- Good Job Army

When you have one force behind, one at the front and 2 at sides, you are secure. You do not realize the strength of the nation, the defense forces and the people. The army, protecting you from all sides is among you. You share love among your loved ones because those army men have left their homes and loved ones for you. You eat joyfully, because those men at borders have forgotten their joys. They fight fearlessly, just to make sure you do not fear the enemy.  This is not the end! The army has also given employment in South Waziristan to the people who were homeless after the Taliban attack. Due to the bad reputation and unemployment, South Waziristan’s people are engaged in football stitching in Chaghmalai. This is also one of the constructive and implemented jobs done by the Pakistan Army.

 One of the first footballs is inscribed with:  "Presented to US President Barrack Obama, from Safeerullah, Chaghmalai, SWA (South Waziristan), Pakistan."

"I am making this football for the President of America, Obama. I want this to reach him as a gift from me. From his side, I want a gift; and that is that these drone attacks should stop. When the attacks stop, I will send this ball to him as a gift,' SafeerUllah told Reuters Television, holding up the ball shyly.

Stitched balls will be transported to Sialkot where they will be subjected to strict quality control before being exported to foreign clients, the trainers said.

If army is doing so much for us then why should not we pay them a tribute and make them proud of the nation? When army is giving employment for the progression of Pakistan, then the government is left with no reasons for the unemployment. The nation has to be strong with their hard work and strive hard to gain a progressive Pakistan! I salute army and Brigadier Anwaar Ahmad for taking such initiatives in a place where terrorists thought only they could survive! To prove them wrong army has done its best to provide employment to the people.

CORRUPTION

corruption

“CORRUPTION IS THE ABUSE OF ENTRUSTED POWER FOR PRIVATE GAIN. IT HURTS EVERYONE WHO DEPENDS ON THE INTEGRITY OF PEOPLE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY”

The scourge of corruption and white-collar crimes has become a cause of serious concern. Corruption is a menace that can never be eliminated completely from society. Some traces of corruption always exist in every society. The extent of such corruption in each is inversely proportional to the level of justice, accountability and indiscriminate application of law. As long as injustice and poverty prevail one cannot hope to eradicate corruption. A society based on the rule of law and equality caters for the genuine needs and wants of its members. But a society where the rule of law is absent, the vacuum is filled by the rule of nuisance value. The rights, privileges and respect in such a society depend upon how much you can browbeat a man or woman. One may acquire an official position by virtue of which one is able to cause harm to others or to give them favor and advantage. 

Corruption is not a simple phenomenon. It is a complex structure of many forms prevalent in our society at different levels starting from a ruler to a layman. The first type is “speed money”. Speed money is used to move the file quickly, to combat inefficiency and red-tapism both planned and inherent. The second type is “collusive corruption” in interpreting existing laws and regulations, and in formulating new laws or amending existing ones to provide benefits to an individual or a certain group. The third type is sanctioning and writing-off heavy loans by the banking authorities without proper or any analysis. Nonpayment of taxes is the fourth category. All rulers, officials and businessmen are defamed for their tax evasion. CBR officials, themselves provide consultation for evading taxes against their palm greasing. Businessmen, industrialists, traders, importers and exporters take full advantage of this blessing. They save duties by over and under invoicing of their imports and exports, while growers and manufacturers within the country seek subsidies for their sole benefits. It is a brief view of the forms of corruption. State-sponsored and private profit based bonds and schemes for extortion of money and whitener schemes of money raised by smuggling, drug-trafficking etc. are some other examples. Allotment of plots, arable lands and pastures to their favorites and high-ranking officials are another form of corruption. Discretionary powers of bureaucrats to use public sector funds for development schemes and unaccountable financial pools of other law-enforcement agencies are the other side of the picture. Issuing licenses, providing securities in the form of patronage and subsidies to their near and dear ones are also common practices of the rulers and officials in Pakistan. Commissions, favours and grafts demanded by the rulers, ministers, secretaries and heads of the institutions are the latest inventions. Both Benazir and Nawaz Shrief governments were dismissed with the charges of wholesale corruption, extortion of money and abuse of powers. 

Pakistan ... In the hands of Evils

It has to be said very sadly that Pakistan, since its creation, has been in the hands of bad leadership and governance. Unfortunately, we never had such a leadership, except the few individuals, which could deliver some positive outcomes and the benefits to the country. Pakistan is one country which for one reason or the other is always in the eyes of other countries. Pakistan is full of natural resources by the grace of GOD. But sadly our own leadership has never ever taken the right and appropriate decisions in order to utilize them, so that our country could progress and compete with other nations.

It is the outcome of the bad governance that today Pakistan is having multiple domestic and international problems, issues and violence, related to terrorism especially. The current sorry state of Pakistan is just because of the fact that our government is so far extremely unsuccessful in keeping the institutions united. Other than that, in the name of war against terrorism, we have just faced loss and nothing else. The policy of Musharraf in the war against terrorism is a horrible gift given to the nation during his reign, and surprisingly, the current government is still following it, being a slave of the United States of America.

I must say that no doubt, we blame our government to being responsible for the current situation of the country. But we, the local citizens are equally responsible for again and again electing those people who come in the power, make promises but at the end, they just fill their own pockets and fly abroad. Unfortunately, there is no one to hold such traitors of the country accountable. The worst part of this discussion is that the most corrupt personalities of the country are the heads or chief executives of the state. What more can be required to prove that unluckily Pakistan is in the hands of Evils.

Talking about the politics of Pakistan, it has become the psyche of the politicians who come into power, that no matter whether they deliver for the nation or not, they feel it is their right to fill their bank balances with the public’s money. The evil minded people who are sitting in the Parliament and in the Senate have no concern for the betterment of the public. They are just there in order to fulfill their own demands. Pakistan and its people have also strived to make their present and future both secure. But it’s almost useless to do so because the government and leadership of our country would always make us suffer and most of the time they have proved it right. Under such circumstances the survival of a common man seems next to impossible. This is our country and thus we are living in it somehow. The future of Pakistan still seems bleak and dark, because the story ends when the ruling period of one government gets over and it readily starts as well again, when the new government takes the oath.

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Obaid ur Rehman
30th Oct 2012

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Evolution of heroes

Throughout history it has been only natural for the humanity to idealize the ones who were mightier, stronger or possessed some desirable characteristics. In every civilization there has been some mythical or god like being which other people worshiped and idealized as superior to them. The Greek gods, spirits, pharaohs, mythical or fantastical creatures have played a significant role in molding the thinking and ideas of people. There have been so many examples of superior beings idealized on the basis that they were stronger or graceful than others, that  has not vanished in time, rather that idealization has just altered and have became a little modern and a newer version of the same thing. There was a time when Achilles and Hercules were worshiped for their indestructible characteristics but now it is the idea of a character such as like Edward Cullen that have become the symbol of  heroism.

In the modern times the vulnerability of heroes like the fact that they may fall in love with mortal girls or vampires that (God forbid) walk in sunlight and sparkle have became a major factor of attraction rather than other characterizes. This fact have become so common now a days that even old lore, myths and fantasies have been altered to fit such idea of today, taking the example of vampire myth that started in Romania from “Vladimir The Impaler” (although there are other conflicting stories as well that suggest it started from a certain allergy of skin that rendered people unable to go in sunlight) and then after the origin the idea of vampires became famous from Bram stoker’s Dracula. Originally the idea of these immortal creatures was grotesque and stories about them were filled with bloodshed, pain and regrets (for example “interview with a vampire”) but now the same idea has been changed to fit today’s demands presenting series like twilight saga, cirque du freak, vampire diaries, blue bloods, vampire academy and numerous more, each with their own new ideas and facts; that are deviated and altered from the original. 

While all the authors have not failed to show their own creativity but a major question has gone unanswered; when did then new generation started to like and get attracted to creatures that showed vulnerability and humane characteristics rather than the idealization of beings who possessed ultimate power and were indestructible? Even though today’s vampires are still shown as indestructible but they also possess some vulnerability as well. What changed and caused the people to like idea of a being that is immortal yet has humanity left within and somehow attends high school and while this is not enough also possessed the ability to fall in love with a high school girl along the way, what changed that made people forget the ideas of Gilgamesh and Achilles and heroes that actually did something for them to be called a hero and be worshiped. The fact isn’t the redundancy of same thing altered in minor ways, rather it is the idea that new generation is liking the idea of a evil creature that is righteous in some ways yet. How far will this concept go is quite unpredictable and a lot of people who possess some common sense as to what is superior and what is not are waiting impatiently for it to unravel.

THE PAKISTANI "CIRCUS"

Leadership plays a pivotal role in determining any country’s fate. Unfortunately, the quality of leadership of Pakistan has degraded as our country passes through a critical phase. We are surrounded by problems that are enough to discourage and dishearten anyone. The quality of our gifted leaders’ temperament and spiritual courage of our statesmen is also being tested over and over again. But it is us, the citizens of Pakistan who have to bear with such a tragic lot of leaders. We watch them play their games, telling their lies, playing with our nation and yet remain quiet as if we are a nation of polyester stuffed bean bags! We might even classify as “Punching bags” too!

It is truly Pakistan’s hard luck that we have leaders who are clearly playing with the fate of Pakistan. Many of our leaders have no vision or moral integrity at all.

Elections in our country are filled with cheating and thuggery. And no one seems to do anything about it!Many people would deny it and even if there is real and concrete evidence of this violent transgression, it can be as worthless as tissue paper. Accountability in Pakistan is almost non-existent! No one is answerable to anyone! We just don’t want to open our eyes and face reality. Are our leaders solving our problems? Are they even considering any problems of Pakistan? Where is Pakistan heading off to? Have we ever as Pakistanis thought about the dimensions of this negation of truth in our lives? NO!

Even when our politicians or high officials are caught red-handed nothing much happens. Afterall, we are not a “nation”. We are a “Circus”! We keep choosing entertainers again and again to entertain and amuse the world!

It is always said that justice is one of the most important pillars in the foundation of Pakistan, but where is justice? The rich are getting richer and the poor are dying. Is this justice? Have we ever punished any criminal unless he comes into the eyes of the media? Or is there any guarantee that the criminal will be punished if he comes into the eyes of the media? NO! Why? Because we have very few or maybe just one or two honest leaders who would actually stand up for the real problems of Pakistan.

We can never judge if our politicians are honest or if they are telling the truth or lies but the problem with Pakistani leaders is that most of them are more loyal to their bank balances than to their country and they are pretty much shameless about it!

The citizens of Pakistan, not the polyester stuffed bean bags but the “TRUE PAKISTANIS”: The Awakened Ones are probably losing hope in the future of Pakistan. Our leadership in itself is one of the biggest threats to Pakistan. Being honest, I feel we don’t even need any foreign power to plot against or harm Pakistan. Our respectful leaders are enough!!

Media propaganda against Pakistan Army

Our basic weakness is lack of intellect on presentation level; our intellectuals were never promoted enough to defend Pakistan on international level.We are not going into denial but we have to face the fact that if we won’t stand by our own country people from outside are going to ridicule us beyond imagination, it should be our duty and aim to improve the inner self and again our duty to make the outer image better.

In most cases only negativity is being publicized even by Pakistanis themselves. We can tackle with that by showing the full and positive picture of Pakistan and how good and prosperous our country. Rather than focusing on how to tackle the international media we should first and foremost work on our own Media Working on National level privately. Media’s roles and ethics need to be revised in our country. Patriotism should be the key word. It’s only afterwards that we can tackle the International Media, who always target Pakistan and exaggerate every issue ten folds. False flow of information needs to be countered through making people aware of actual issues/problems to make them aware of our current situation. We need to portray Pakistan in the positive way and convey all positive and promising facts about our country. A soft image of our country, its Armed forces, and countrymen by showing our true culture and speaks for peace and tranquillity  Our culture and religion based and Islam is a very moderate and accommodative religion, it allows most rights to every living creature on earth, Muslims, Non-Muslims even Animals.

There is no place/country in this world that doesn't have a disputed area, where there may be no war at its borders, terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, disputes on sects. But why only highlight Pakistan?  It is only because, the world does not want to accept the reality and presence of Pakistan on the globe. And that is too our fault.

Spain right not is collapsing because of economical depression, why highlight Pakistan only? The world is experiencing the great depression in terms of economical recession right now, but not many are aware that its origin was basically from USA and it has been artificially imposed on us.

I believe our media can play a very important role in filling these voids between the fictional and actual stories which the international media has fabricated. Similarly, ISPR is a huge forum, a media network which handles all the Armed Forces related correspondence. But it seems that’s what they are only covering and that too not up to the brim.