Wednesday 3 October 2012

My Decision to Leave PTI « imaanmazari

My Decision to Leave PTI

18 Sep I can tolerate criticism regarding my work, my attitude towards ex-fellow party members and a lot of other things but one thing I have put up with for the last 6 months (since April when I joined PTI in Rajanpur District) is abuse and character assassination. This is something I am simply not ready to tolerate anymore, be it for PTI or anything/anyone else; my respect and principles are more important to me than a party that continues to attack me despite my contributions to it ever since I joined. Admitted, I have made mistakes in the past, but being called a “prostitute,” or hearing/reading insults regarding my late grandfather by PTI workers is simply unacceptable. Yes, I wear what I want and I live my personal life exactly the way I want to – that is between me and myself; no one else ever had or will ever have a right to comment on it. I will never make any apologies for the way I choose to live my personal life. I tolerated my personal life being put up for criticism and abuse by PTI workers and ignored it because I believed in PTI’s vision and did not want to put any impediments in the way to their success.
When PTI started taking in feudals and lotas, I stood by them because Khan convinced us that he knew what he was doing. Despite his dictatorial decisions in the PSC in granting Musharraf’s ex-ministers the most significant positions in the party, I stood by my ex-leader. I trusted his judgment. I trusted that these people were coming into our party because they had changed and wanted a Pakistan that was a democratic, progressive welfare state. I was only to realize slowly and gradually how impaired my judgment had been. I even went so far as to stick by my party when party workers hurled stones at me and literally molested me at the Pindi Jalsa because I thought “if its for Pakistan, I can stick it out.” I just recently realized, well no, its not really for Pakistan is it? Is this a Pakistan any sane person would want to say? Admitted, PTI is the only option right now as the others have PROVEN to be corrupt and inefficient, but why should I continue to defend a party where a) not only am I abused but b) the senior party leadership has only its power-hungry interests at heart.
When I was angry, I wrote a 2 page article on specific people that were discrediting PTI and details of how they were influencing Khan to move away from the ideology we have had for 16 years. This was till I realized, I’m better than that. Just because PTI had treated me like dirt doesn’t mean I’m going to reciprocate such disgusting treatment. PTI Rajanpur and I will continue to work on an individual level on social work projects which are my main aim for the next few years. The people of Rajanpur are just as much my responsibility as I am theirs. I will continue to speak for those oppressed as I have always done – no Leghari or feudal sardar is going to be able to defeat that part of me. I truly pray that Khan wakes up and realizes that his party has been hijacked, as my mother stated, which only resulted in sick PTI workers abusing her as well, conveniently forgetting about how hard she has worked for Pakistan all her life, even without party affiliations. Khan may think he knows what he’s doing, but when he passes comments (regarding the Rajanpur jalsa which he did not attend), saying “convince them to come back later/why cant they just come back tomorrow,” I feel he has lost touch with the poverty-stricken and neglected population of not only Southern Punjab, but Pakistan, as a whole. These were poor people, most of them affected directly by the floods, who had borrowed money to try to make ends meet just to be able to hear Khan speak to them for 20 minutes. A delay in DGK, sitting and convincing more sardars to lend their support just doesn’t cut it as a justification for keeping these people waiting. If it had been just the wait, one could even forgive that – but the fact that he didn’t even bother apologizing to those people was what made me sick to my stomach. What pushed it one step forward was Awais Leghari’s attack against my mother, calling her “unreasonable” for standing up for people who are oppressed by the system his feudal mindset propagates.
I for one am tired of slogans of change without any concrete policy. I sincerely pray internal party elections result in the removal of damaging elements from within PTI. I could write on and on about how senior leadership in the party has disrespected one another, including Khan’s disrespect towards my mother, but that’s another issue which I do not wish to delve into – ENOUGH of dirty politics.
Pakistan is and always will be my home; my soil to which I will always give back in whichever way I can – but I can no longer remain in a party where my ideology conflicts with theirs. If it is really a change Khan wants to bring about, why is the old guard of PTI shunned and humiliated so that he can use Tareen’s private jet? How Imran Khan thinks this isn’t elitism shocks me!
InshaAllah when I have my degree in hand and have served Pakistan to the extent where I feel I am in a position to re-enter politics, I have no other ambition but to do so. Until that day, health, education, women’s rights and other projects that I had been working on in Pakistan will not come to an end. Infact, with no party affiliation, I am in a more credible position to carry out my work. To all those who abused me and my family, I pray for you and hope you develop into decent human beings because that is something that PTI clearly hasn’t taught you. Criticizing Imran Khan does not make me a “traitor.” I am free to criticize on issues where I feel the nation is being misled; blind faith in a leader (any leader at all) is not the way I work – sorry to disappoint.
I appreciate the work that the Imran Khan Foundation and Shaukat Khanum are engaging in – but that’s what Imran Khan is superb at; social work. He is an asset for Pakistan in terms of his dedication in the field of social work. As a politician, I feel like he needs to remember who he was 15 years ago and what vision he had because it no longer exists in the party. What are considered “electables” aren’t what Pakistan needs – what we need is an honest and focused leader who will stick to his initial convictions and beliefs even when offered the short cut.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

News Makers – PPF, FFF Report of Training Workshop for Radio Professionals in Islamabad

PPF, FFF Report of Training Workshop for Radio Professionals in Islamabad

by News Makers on February 2, 2012 with 0 Comments in General

Gender discrimination and violence against women can be minimized by the effective use of media particularly Radio in the remote areas of Pakistan because radio was the major source of information, awareness and entertainment in the rural areas. Radio can be heard by those who were less educated with less information and did not have facility of electricity or they don’t have access to TV channels and Newspapers.
This was observed by the participants of a 3-day training workshop for Radio professionals on “Gender Justice and Violence against Women”, which was organized by Pakistan Press Foundation in collaboration with Foundation for the Future on 30 January to 1st February, 2012 in PPF Training Center at Islamabad.
17 Radio professionals including 03 female participants from all over the country, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Azad Jammu Kashmir participated in the workshop.

Participants of the training workshop

The participants said that violence against women could be minimized by increasing awareness at gross roots level. They said that radio was a powerful and cheaper source of information and mobilization tool to create awareness on gender justice and help in eradicating violence against women from society.
As the listenership of radio was higher in rural areas as compared to the urban areas, campaigns can be effectively run to sensitize the people about gender. Journalists can raise social issues with gender perspective and create awareness through their programs at local level.
The participants said that VAW was a main obstacle in development of the society. The womenfolk had been facing all kinds of violence including murder, rape, kidnapping, forced marriages, early age marriages, killing in the name of honour, harassment at workplace, depriving of right to vote etc. Radio and other media sources can be helpful in eradication of all kinds of violence against women.
During workshop, it was also stressed that there should be gender sensitivity while reporting the cases of VAW particularly rape and sexual assault cases. The name and picture of survivor/victim should not be published or telecast.
The participants said that women should be considered as human being and resources should be given to both women and men equally but keeping in view the equity as well. Need to acknowledge women for their achievements were also stressed.
While expressing views during two panel discussions on “Gender Justice and VAW” and “VAW and the role of media and CSOs,” Director General of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Murtaza Solangi, Dr. Rakhshinda Parveen of Society for the Advancement of Community, Health, Education and Training (SACHET), Ms. Shahnaz Bukhari of Progressive Women Association (dealing with acid and burn survivors) and Ms. Erum Javed of UNDP said that no society can develop without full participation of women in every walk of life and women should be made independent and economically sound.
Trainer Mr. Saeed Minhas said that the uniqueness of the workshop was that it helped gauge the progress of the participants in the realm of specific (gender, justice and development or democracy) reporting and editing skills by using participatory approach and collective learning methodology. He added that putting all journalists, having variety of backgrounds and cultural/social settings, in Islamabad environment certainly helped them to repeat and master the basics of reporting, editing and sourcing skills from a different perspective, which is more federal in nature and more elusive to their respective environments.
It was recommended that a field exercise should be considered a must, as it will help journalists to get into the groove and sharpen their skills.
During workshop, the participants were engaged in interactive and practical exercises, where colorful cards, flip charts, drawing board, role-playing, and power point presentations were used, where and when needed. The participants were asked to produce a skillful and balanced piece of news report and one feature report during the course of three days. All 17 participants prepared one news package and one features for radio on gender related issues and VAW.
The participants were also given the task to produce one feature report upon returning to their respective workplaces and send the same to PPF for sharing with all others through its website.
Trainer: Saeed Minhas
Coordinator: Lala Hassan

Pakistani and Indian delegates clash over Kashmir at U.N.

Pakistani and Indian delegates clash over Kashmir at U.N.

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 2 (APP): Representatives of Pakistan and India had a verbal duel in the U.N. General Assembly on Monday night over decades-old the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between the two South Asian countries.

Reacting to Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's assertion earlier in the day that last week's remarks by President Asif Ali Zardari remarks on Kashmir were "unwarranted", Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative Raza Bashir Tarar defended the Pakistani leader's statement as the dispute, he said, remained unresolved.

"Let me begin by emphasizing that the reference to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the President of Pakistan’s statement was not 'unwarranted'," Ambassador Tarar said, while exercising his right of reply to the Indian minister's statement in which Krishna also claimed that the Himalayan state was an "integral part" of India.

"Let me also make absolutely clear that Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor has it ever been," the Pakistani envoy told the 193-member Assembly.

President Zardari reaffirmed in his speech that Pakistan "will continue to support the right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to peacefully choose their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Council’s long-standing resolutions on this matter". Kashmir, he said, remained “a symbol of the failures of the United Nations system rather than its strengths.” The president went on to say that a solution could only be reached in an “environment of cooperation.”

Indian delegate Vinay Kumar, responding to references by Ambassador Tarar of Pakistan, insisted that Jammu and Kashmir State was an integral part of India, adding that Pakistan’s "illegal occupation" of parts of the region was in violation of India’s territorial integrity and international law. India, he added, rejected Pakistan’s claim in its entirety.

Exercising his right of reply for a second time, Ambassador Tarar said the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir had been set out in Security Council resolutions and agreed upon by both Pakistan and India. As such, characterizing the region as “an integral part of India” was untenable, he said, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had not exercised their right to self-determination.

The Indian delegate, rejecting the comments by Ambassador Tarar, asserted once again that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India.

Alarming Updates from UNICEF Pakistan on 2012 Floods: Needs and Response 19 – 28 September 2012

UNICEF Pakistan Update: 2012 Floods: Needs and Response 19 – 28 September 2012 | ReliefWeb

SITUATION OVERVIEW
Initial findings from the Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) interviews with key informants in the five worst affected districts state that:

More than 90% of key informants highlighted the issue of malaria and diarrhoea in their communities;
57% are practicing open defecation;
44% are using drinking water that does not appear clean;
Only 15% have adequate access to sanitation/bathing facilities for women and girls;
91% of the affected population have reduced their meals by one or two meals each day;
74% of girls/75% of boys are no longer attending school;
55% of children have lost or damaged their educational materials;
5% of respondents reported unaccompanied children in the flood affected areas;
4% of flood affected households are female headed and 2% are child headed households.

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin - Disease early warning system and response in Pakistan: ReliefWeb

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin - Disease early warning system and response in Pakistan, Volume 3, Issue 37

Report

—

Government of Pakistan, World Health Organization

Download PDF (1.37 MB)

Highlights
Epidemiological week no. 37 (9 - 15 Sep 2012)
• Measles: 65 alerts investigated this week, responding to 4 outbreaks in‐ volving 122 measles cases, 6 deaths. Vitamin A was provided to cases and EDOs‐H took action to improve vacci‐ nation in affected areas (Page 7)
• AWD: 72 alerts investigated this week and 22 outbreaks identified, involving 586 AWD cases, 8 deaths. Outbreaks were controlled by house to house measures to disinfect drinking water and by case management and infection control at health facilities (Page 7)
• No new CCHF case reported reported in week 37, 2012;
• Five new polio cases were reported in week 37, 2012; (Page 6)
• 87 districts have reported to DEWS in week 37, 2012. 2,291 health facilities have shared weekly data to the Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) in this week
• 828,336 patients’ consultations were reported in week 37 compared to 803,490 consultations reported on week 36, 2012.
• Altogether 183 alerts were investigated and respo

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin - Disease early warning system and response in Pakistan, Volume 3, Issue 37 | ReliefWeb

Insider Attacks: beginning of an end?By Saeed Minhas | Diplomatic News Agency

Insider Attacks: beginning of an end?By Saeed Minhas

October 1, 2012 ARTICLES

Grisly figures of insider-attacks commonly known as green-over-blue incidents, reminded me of the prediction of Owais Ghani, one of those three in Pakistan’s history to have served as governor in both the forward posts of Af-Pak borders and under both dictatorial and civilian regimes, when he said in a typical whispering sound in 2009 that Americans might be having a ride of life time in Afghanistan but so was the case with Soviets till September 1986 when CIA-sponsored game-turner Stinger Missiles were given to Gulbadeen Hikmatyar’s commander Engineer Ghaffar to leave gunship helicopters of Soviets so vulnerable that within a couple of years time world saw Mikhail Gorbachev pulling out red armies from Afghanistan.
He made these observations-cum-predictions while attending one of many get-togethers of late Salman Taseer in the lush green lawns of Punjab House in Islamabad and since he was still the Governor of KPK, everyone listened to his shenanigans. By giving this contrast between Americans and Soviets, he quickly moved on to add that who knows something might emerge within a year or so to melt down the technological and psychological superiority of Americans. May be no one has the answer to advanced arsenal, well-equipped additional forces (just in those days Obama had sent 33,000 war-torn troops to Afghanistan who were heading home from Iraq just around that time to reverse Taliban offensive in southern parts), drones and what not but who knows what future holds for us and for them (metaphors used to describe Pakistan or may be Taliban and America/ISAF as them).
Are insider attacks the tactics, we have been waiting against the drones and ISAF forces? Or is it something which Americans have brought onto themselves by ignoring the ground realities and as many ISAF field commanders are beginning to accept now that it’s not only war-fatigued attitude of the American and ISAF troops but also the fact that Americans are beginning to shut and in other cases cut down the dollar-doors on corrupt Afghan government which is leaving not only over 350,000 Afghan Army and police vulnerable but even putting the populations at the mercy of an uncertain future.
During one of my recent visits to the holding place of Afghan President Hamid Karzai I can relate my experiences with those of the field commanders. My visits certainly gave me this impression that Afghan government is all but holed into Eastern parts and most precisely to Kabul and after a spate of politically (may be monetarily) driven insider attacks which left his own brother and people like Rabbani and many others dead, Karzai is also finding it easy to rule from the barricaded and perhaps one of the most petrified (dusty) city of the country; i.e. Kabul.
Living on the crutches of foreign aid, the only progress Karzai government can boost off during the past five years or so is that it managed to raise the country revenue collection from a mere US $ 0.6 billion to US $ 1.6 billion, as is claimed by the government accountability office (GAO) in its report. Situation seems to have moved a little in the past two years after the report which can be gauged from the recent statement of the head of Afghan Oversight and Anti-Corruption office, Azizullah Lodin, who was quoted by local newspapers saying, “Like United States, England and other countries, it is nearly impossible to stop corruption in Afghanistan.”
Ten governors have been replaced and another 12 to 15 are likely to be shown the door by Karzai government in the coming weeks on charges of incompetence and bad governance but the question remains that will it give Karzai or his aid-masters any leverage in terms of bringing sanity in a country which seems to be slipping to post-Soviet situation. No matter how much negativity we relate to Taliban or for that matter Pashtuns but the glaring reality which hits you in the face once you visit Kabul, meet ordinary people, even platoons of Afghan serving Generals, Americans the consensus amongst them is that things are spiraling out of hand not only for Karzai but also for Americans. This uncertainty, which in return is breeding misunderstanding and hostilities has become so visible on both sides of the Af-Pak (a term which Pakistani establishment detest as much as they loathe the idea of leaving Indians entrenched in Afghanistan) border that everyone from tribal chiefs to ordinary Pashtuns are embracing for the worst to come.
With a halt in US-Taliban talks, growing interest of British in the foray through unsolicited advice to their American counterparts, an unending corruption spree in Karazai regime and frustrating engagements of Americans in Syrian stand-off, Pakistani establishment, for all the right and wrong reasons, is finding Americans all but confused. Tripartite talks amongst Pakistan-American-Afghan counterparts have emerged again but mistrust and years of misgivings and bad-blood amongst all three is unlikely to lead anyone to any acceptable solution. With pressure on Pakistan to launch an all out operation in North Waziristan, which according to many has already been launched, continuing drone strikes targeting not only foreign elements in FATA regions but also causing agonizingly devastating collateral damage and airing of the most bizarre film on youtube backed by an American pastor, the road ahead seems uncertain. Chances of pushing Pakistani establishment to help end the game in Afghanistan in such a way that Americans can ensure its permanent bases in Afghanistan by securing the safe exit of majority of its ground forces are growing but not without some tangible concerns from Pakistani establishment. Main thaw in this entire end-game plan is not the presence of bases but the presence of arch rivals; i.e. Indians. Now will the Americans play Indian card or may be threat to lure Pakistani flattened-egos into some kind of submission or will Pakistan be able to use its Taliban leverage for getting the best out of this gory game—which is about to unleash—remains to be seen in the coming days.
Saeed Minhas is a senior journalist and has held editorial positions at various leading newspapers.

Akhtar Mengal's six points on Balochistan

Pakistani Press Akhtar Mengal's six points on Balochistan

1. All covert and overt military operations against the Baloch should immediately be suspended.

2. All missing persons should be procured before a court of law.

3. All proxy death squads operating under the supervision of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) should be disbanded.

4. Baloch political parties should be allowed to function and resume their political activities without any interference from intelligence agencies.

5. Persons responsible for inhuman torture, killing and dumping of dead bodies of the Baloch political leaders and activists should be brought to justice.

6. Measures should be taken for the rehabilitation of thousands of displaced Baloch living in appalling condition.

In case these preconditions were not met, the worst was already around the corner.

These are Mengal's demands.

Photos of rally at UN, DOUBLE STANDARD OF MAIN DONORS COUNTRY HARMS UN'S CREDIBILITY

Pakistani Press FW: Photos of rally at UN, DOUBLE STANDARD OF MAIN DONORS COUNTRY

Rally for Peace at UN - Against Drone Attacks, Illegal Wars & Atomic Energy Double Standard Of U.S. and Western Powers

RALLY EVENT

Protesters rallied outside the United Nations on Sept. 25 2012, at the opening of the 67TH Session of the General Assembly

Rally for Peace at UN - Against Drone Attacks, Illegal Wars & Atomic Energy Double Standard Of U.S. and Western Powers

RALLY EVENT

Protesters rallied outside the United Nations on Sept. 25 2012, at the opening of the 67TH Session of the General Assembly

by the new Assembly President from Serbia, Mr. Vuk Jeremic. President Obama took the floor in the early morning before

the heads of states from all over the world. Protesters demanded an end to all drone attacks, including drone attacks on Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Africa and Afghanistan; an end to attacks on Iran's sovereignty; and an end to the double standard of the western powers, particularly those selling nuclear technology and components to India while being silent about Israel's hidden nuclear facility. This coupled with the failure of the international community to demand that Israel clarify how many atomic bombs are in its secret arsenal shows the double standard of the western powers.

Signs also called for freedom and the release of Dr. Aafia Saddiqi from a U.S. prison, deplored the thousands of missing persons in Pakistan and abroad, and Respect for all minorities and immigrants.

Pakistan USA Freedom Forum called the protest to send a message to the U.N. and the world. Drone attacks by the US and its allies have killed many dozens of civilians in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere. At the same time they are using the nuclear issue to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran, a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency which abides by its obligations.

The Rally was supported by various anti-war and peace and justice organizations, including the International Action Center [IAC] the World Can't Wait, Veterans For Peace, Advocates for Peace And Justice, Tahreek E Insaf from the NY Occupy Wall Steet Movement [OWS], Workers World Party, Iran SI Solidarity, many professors, teachers, and peace thinkers.

Mr. Nick Morten and Mr. George who is conducting an anti-drone tour across the usa, brought [Miles Away to NYC] brought a replica of a us drone to support the call to "Stop the Drone" Rally.

Following the rally, many of the demonstrators left the United Nations to join in a Peace Meeting with the Iranian UN Delegation.

Activists all over USA who came to NYC to attend a peace and dialogue meeting with the President of the Islamic Repubic of Iran Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Panelists at the Peace Meeting with the Islamic Republic's UN Delegation included:

the President of Iran, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadinejad, and Iran's foreign minister, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi,
Minister Louis Farrakhan, [leader of the Nation of Islam],
Mr. Amiri Baraka, poet laureate,
Mr. Ramsey Clark [former attorney general of the U.S., and famous international lawyer],
Mr. Phil Wilayto, peace activist and author of In Defense of Iran, and two religious heads:
Father Mallon, a Catholic theologian and
Religious scholar Imam Muhammad Sawar, as well as an expert on nuclear matters:
Mr. Jim Walsh, a nuclear scientist from Mass. Intstitute of Technology and a consultant to major TV media.

After listening to the Panelists' presentations, about a half-dozen peace and justice advocates - including interfaith representatives, an anti-war attorney and community activists - were invited to speak directly to the President's Delegation and the panel from an audience podium. Their voices spoke of the love of peace and dialogue among peoples and nations and they thanked the Islamic Mission for being invited.

Mrs. Eleanor Ommani, representing the American Iranian Friendship Committee (AIFC) congratulated Iran on the success of the 120-nation summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, (NAM) held in Tehran the end of August 2012, applauding Iran's call for a nuclear free Middle East Zone and call to NAM to work for the dismantling of the nuclear arsenals in the world by 2025.

Mrs. Ommani briefly shared the story of an American heroine, Sister Megan Rice, an 82 year-old peace activist Catholic nun who is a part of the anti-nuclear movement known as "Transform Now Ploughshares" whose courageous act of breaking into the national security nuclear enrichment storage facility at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, splashing blood on the walls and holding aloft banners that read: "Swords into Ploughshares" and "Spears into Pruning Shears" now risks 15 years in prison. "It's the criminality of this 70-year industry," she said, in explaining her brave action.

When a large color photo of this courageous American peace activist was passed up to the President of Iran, he was genuinely touched by the loving spirit in the face of this wise old woman and bowed in appreciation of the picture and learning of her actions.

-- Photos by Brenda Sandburg

by the new Assembly President from Serbia, Mr. Vuk Jeremic. President Obama took the floor in the early morning before

Signs also called for freedom and the release of Dr. Aafia Saddiqi from a U.S. prison, deplored the thousands of missing persons in Pakistan and abroad, and Respect for all minorities and immigrants.

Mr. Nick Morten and Mr. George who is conducting an anti-drone tour across the usa, brought [Miles Away to NYC] brought a replica of a us drone to support the call to "Stop the Drone" Rally.

Following the rally, many of the demonstrators left the United Nations to join in a Peace Meeting with the Iranian UN Delegation.

the President of Iran, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadinejad, and Iran's foreign minister, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi,
Minister Louis Farrakhan, [leader of the Nation of Islam],
Mr. Amiri Baraka, poet laureate,
Mr. Ramsey Clark [former attorney general of the U.S., and famous international lawyer],
Mr. Phil Wilayto, peace activist and author of In Defense of Iran, and two religious heads:
Father Mallon, a Catholic theologian and
Religious scholar Imam Muhammad Sawar, as well as an expert on nuclear matters:
Mr. Jim Walsh, a nuclear scientist from Mass. Intstitute of Technology and a consultant to major TV media.

-- Photos by Brenda Sandburg

HARMS UN'S CREDIBILITY - sminhas07@gmail.com - Gmail

Monday 1 October 2012

U.S.- Pakistan Professional Partnership in Journalism | ICFJ - International Center for Journalists

U.S.- Pakistan Professional Partnership in Journalism
See video

A three-year, multi-phase program run by ICFJ will bring 128 Pakistani media professionals to the United States and send 30 U.S. journalists to Pakistan, building long-term partnerships between news organizations.

"This program is possibly the most important we have in Pakistan, really interesting to see America through their eyes, makes me proud to be an American and hopeful about Pakistan." -- Dr. Stephen P. Cohen; Sr. Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies Program, The Brookings Institution

A three-year, multi-phase program will bring 128 Pakistani media professionals to the United States and send 30 U.S. journalists to Pakistan. Journalists will study each others' cultures as they are immersed in newsrooms in each country.

English-speaking Pakistanis will receive four-week internships at U.S. media organizations, and non-English speakers will spend half that time.

The program will be knit throughout with events and opportunities to experience U.S. life, showcasing its diversity. Similarly, the U.S. participants, who will represent the Pakistanis’ U.S. media hosts during the internships, will go to Pakistan for two-week programs during which they will learn the realities of Pakistani journalism and national life through site visits, interviews and opportunities to interact with journalists, officials and ordinary Pakistanis.

Participants on both sides will have opportunities to report on their experiences in each country, which will help to educate their audiences and dispel myths and misperceptions that people carry in each country about residents of the other. ICFJ will carry out the Pakistan-based activities with the assistance of a local Pakistani journalism organization, and the University of Maryland’s school of journalism will assist our U.S. activities.

Eligibility
- Pakistani citizen
- Bachelor's degree
- Between three & 15 years of active journalistic work experience
- Currently working in the field of journalism

To Apply: Please contact the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan.

U.S.- Pakistan Professional Partnership in Journalism | ICFJ - International Center for Journalists

Political titans set eyes on Karachi

Political titans set eyes on Karachi

Posted on October 1, 2012

Saeed Minhas
Has Karachi really changed hands for good or is it a myth which versatile politicians of Mutahida just keep singing in tune with their London-based leader? Answer to that is hard to find but one thing remain sure that like many things President Zardari is out to not only compete them in his own style and manner but is also making sure to bring something back from the hard clenched fists of MQM during the proposed elections of 2013.
As we have seen President Zardari mastering the art of giving blow after blow to the elder brother of Khadam-e-Punjab and making him publically (during press conferences) wonder on number of occasions that whether PPP is playing with him or is sincere to salvage him out of the muddy waters which he enjoys jumping into every now and then. Just to refresh memories that in past four years or since his return in 2008 from painful exiles of Royal palaces of Saudi Kingdom and lavish London flats, from contesting elections to long march, from pouncing on army to sending emissaries for mid-night calls on GHQ, and from budget bundles to passage of constitutional amendments (to name but the few), he out of sincerity (may or may not is your discretion) has always found himself on the wrong foot or wrong side of public sentiments.
The case with MQM, however, is totally different and Zardari-factor has so skillfully been nullified by the foreign-based crafty leadership of Mutahida that Peoples Party is learnt to have re-engaged Zulfiqar Mirza for a new on-slaught on his (at least apparently) personal nemesis but not without a new-found friend from Bambino days to recent-past sugar-mill-cum-brewery partner. In the process, Nabil Gabol might stand a chance to play his assigned role in the newly chalked out Stop-MQM-from-politically- sweeping-Karachi operation.
But why is it so that all of a sudden Peoples Party has decided to change gears after having a love-hate relationship with the Quiad-e-Tehrik? After all whenever our beleaguered President or even former Prime Minister Gilani used to go for official rides to UK, they were seen posing for the cameras like a newly wedded couple. Comforting each other with broad chins and brimming faces to assure the rest of geeks like us that both are well-synchronized machines working for the people, with their money and for their money with a well defined boundaries in Karachi, Hyderabad and even Sukkur.
On further scratching the memory chips of google khan, one can even see our mobile interior minister Rehman Malik heading for North-London-based residences of Altaf Hussain to negotiate a way out of 18th amendment deadlock, post Dr. Imran Farooq murder situation, MQM's clash with Nawaz League and so on and so forth on numerous occasions. Though Malik has many other businesses to attend while he visits any foreign land, but presenting bouquets of red flowers to Altaf Bhai with a press release of exchanging matters of mutual concern are still out there on numerous web pages and cyber circles.
After talking to few friends within Peoples Party and of course some Bhai jaans of Mutahida, it seems to be the desire of peoples party versus the need of MQM. People on both sides believe that Peoples Party wants to have an increased share of their MNAs from Karachi and even Hyderabad. Out of 20 seats of Karachi only three belong to Peoples Party while the rest are housed by MQM, and out of six seats of Hyderabad four belongs to PPPP while the rest to MQM (as per 2008 election results as notified by Election Commission of Pakistan).
So out of 26 seats of twin cities of Karachi and Hyderabad, Mutahida has 19 while the rest of seven belong to Peoples Party. The wish-list of President Zardari seems to have at least two more seats from Karachi and one more from Hyderabad to prove his claim to his bag-carriers that he is no less than a Bhutto when it comes to gaining political grounds without creating much of ripples. Same goes true for Faryal Talpur because she too claimed in front of the party leaders from KPK that look how skillful I have been by winning the seat went vacant because of murder of Benazir Bhutto (NA 207, Larkana) whereas BB had to face at least couple of people from the same seat in almost every election.
Mutahida, on the other hand seems to have turned down this wish-list which has been presented along with bouquets so many times by every visiting dignitary from PPP (more so by Rehman Malik) by telling them that even a couple of seats from Punjab in the next elections will mean that they can dream of staging their own prime minister in Islamabad. After all from a mere six seats of Ziaul Haq party-less elections to 26 seats (including reserved seats) in the span of four elected governments and two martial laws is not a small feast in itself. But despite claiming it on all sorts of social media somehow their image and charcter always remain in doubt not only in public eye, amongst fellow and rival political parties and more so in the eyes of custodian of ideological fortress. Stigmatized with verbosity and mafia-style control of Karachi, no matter how much development they have brought to the haphazard city and economic hub of Pakistan, nothing seems to have helped them establish themselves as a formidable, vibrant and middle-class third largest political force of the country.
Will there be gridlock between the two, remains to be seen but will there be any resolution out of this fix seems impossible because both have their eyes on their specific agendas and to achieve that end both have, of course with varying level of extremism, a potency which is likely to keep Karachi burning like hell in the forseeable future unless the custodians decides to have a repeat of an operation.

Political titans set eyes on Karachi

American Soldiers Use Pampers before heading out for Combats with Taliban

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Roznama Dunya

Morning Brief: U.S. casualties in Afghanistan reach 2,000 amid new attacks - sminhas07@gmail.com - Gmail

Monday, October 1, 2012

U.S. casualties in Afghanistan reach 2,000 amid new attacks

Top news: A suicide bomber dressed in an Afghan police uniform killed three NATO soldiers and at least a dozen Afghan police officers and civilians in the southeastern town of Khost on Monday. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred while Afghan and NATO forces were participating in a foot patrol.
The bombing comes shortly after an altercation in Wardak Province between U.S. and Afghan troops left two Americans and three Afghans dead. The New York Times notes that while Afghan officials have characterized the clash as a misunderstanding, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force initially called the incident "a suspected insider attack." Attacks by Afghan police or soldiers (or insurgents disguised as Afghan security forces) have killed more than 50 coalition forces this year.
The violence coincided with a grim milestone in the 11-year-old war over the weekend, as U.S. military casualties hit 2,000. More than 1,000 coalition troops have also died in the conflict.
Libya: New reports in the Washington Post and the New York Times indicate that U.S. officials underestimated the security threat facing American personnel in Libya prior to the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. "They had not reinforced the U.S. diplomatic outpost there to meet strict safety standards for government buildings overseas," the Post notes. "Nor had they posted a U.S. Marine detachment, as at other diplomatic sites in high-threat regions."

Morning Brief: U.S. casualties in Afghanistan reach 2,000 amid new attacks

Dev Cafe

Wednesday 3 October 2012