The Umpire’s finger and its role in history…
According to Daily Jang (02 Jan 2017), Sindh’s Minister for Information Maula Bux Chandio, in criticising PTI chief Imran Khan, said that change (tabdeeli) will not come through a finger (unglee) but from the people and through a political alliance. He went on to express his opinion that the PTI chief’s approach was a hindrance to the unity of the opposition forces.
Great people to fly with
Daily Dunya (02 Jan 2017) reported that a stewardess (air hostess) from the national airline PIA was apprehended on suspicion of stealing from a departmental store in Toronto. A spokesperson for the airline was quoted as saying that responsibility for actions outside the course of work was personal.
Taking the lead…
Daily Jang (02 Jan 2017), citing a report issued by the British government, stated that the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom was found to be the most backward (pasmanda) of all the various nationalities and communities in that country, with 57 percent of women belonging to this community being economically inactive - far more than other communities.
Where love is an expensive proposition
It was reported by Daily Jang (02 Jan 2017) that a village council (panchayat) in Rahim Yar Khan, convened by local notables (chaudhry) has fined a couple the sum of 25 lakh (2.5 million rupees) and also banished them from their native village for two years - all because they chose to marry for love. The report went on to say that the couple provided 5 lakh (500,000 rupees) immediately, but are now facing threats of violence from the chaudhries for failing to provide the remaining sum imposed on them.
“You’re insane!”…“No, you’re insane!”
Daily Dunya (02 Jan 2017) quoted PTI chief Imran Khan as saying that Javed Hashmi was mentally unstable (zehni tawazun durust nahin), amidst a host of criticisms of the veteran politician. Javed Hashmi, in his response to the PTI’s denunciations, was quoted as saying that Imran Khan was a year-and-a-half younger to him and that a Board ought to be formed to assess the mental/psychological soundness of both (Khan and Hashmi). He proposed that there be also a dope test.
The Oracle speaks…
The leader of the Awami Muslim League, Sheikh Rasheed, was quoted by Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (07 Jan 2017) as saying that the Panama Leaks were a living reality, and that government ministers who went around blowing bugles right now would soon have to hide their very faces. He went on to predict that the Panama case proceedings will be wrapped up within the month of January.
Anybody listening?
According to Daily Express (08 Jan 2017), protests continued in many towns of Balochistan against the hunting of the tilowr bird by members of the Qatari royal family. Protesters alleged, among other things, that unlawful occupations of land were taking place under the guise of hunting.
Bigotry to replace birth-control pills under the BJP?
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (08 Jan 2017) reported that a member of the Lok Sabha from the ruling BJP and controversial Hindu nationalist Sakshi Maharaj has had a case registered against him for incitement, in Meerut. This is in connection with his remarks that Muslims, not Hindus, are the main cause of increasing population in India, because they have four wives and 40 children.
Wisdom from the Council, as usual?
Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (08 Jan 2017) quoted the Chairman of the Islamic Ideology Council, Maulana Sherani, as saying that the Punjab’s Women Protection Bill is a parody (charba) of Western lawmaking. In his remarks while speaking at a madrassah, according to the report, he said that contemporary Pakistan is not the Pakistan of the Two Nation Theory, but it is the post-1971 Pakistan after the creation of Bangladesh on ethno-nationalist grounds. In response to a question about the ‘ideology of Pakistan’, he asked the questioner what this ‘ideology of Pakistan’ is.