"Heaven in my Mind"

This poem has been added to my book "Building Bridges" which was published in October 2011. I wrote this poem in the summer of 2009 after I woke up from a dream, the contents of which I explained in the poem later.

A trip to heaven in my mind
Was to leave all the love behind
 I just wanted to see
Just how beautiful Heaven could be

The most beautiful pearly gates of white
Behind the shimmering radiant light
The cool flowing rivers of milk
And the lush green grass of satin silk

I saw the things which I had read about
What an experience to me it brought
With an angel passing me by
So ethereal that a tear fell from my eye

I walked the cool of evening along the meadows
Breezy wind; the streams of crystal water flows
Tall lush trees swaying with the beat
Gently lifting me off the ground as it caresses my feet

It became evident to me the world’s deception
And why this Heaven was called an exception
For those who showed their utter humble and devotion
Lie here in the Paradise’s intoxicating potion!

Copyright ©2011-2050 Ayesha Zee Khan. Reproduction: Poetry/articles/stories strictly prohibited. Watermark template. Template images bymicheldenijs. Powered by Blogger.

Published on the following link also:

http://www.islamabadtimesonline.com/heaven-in-my-mind/

  

"Gilani's Extravagance"

Mr. Jinnah, our founding father 

Wisdom tells us leaders depict the present and carve the future of a country’s destiny. Sensibly, acting as those who “lead” when they know all their stakes lie in their country of birth they take the reins of bandwagon in their hands and try to steer it clear of puddles, bumps, speed-breakers etc. so that the journey in their time of delivery is as smooth for the passengers as possible. If such is the case then Pakistan seems to be in the hands of very incompetent, highly irresponsible, extravagant, greedy people who call themselves “leaders” of this nation. For the ride they have given to the citizens of this country has been rocky, bumpy, and steep with rash turns speedy curves which are now coming to a complete breakdown!

With the crumbling economy, national treasury on aid, almost a shutdown of major public organizations in the country, price hikes, widespread poverty, industrial units almost shut, electricity shortage, gas inadequate, unemployment, zero incentives, no foresight, corruption at its record high since the birth of Pakistan, favoritism of nincompoops at its peak; a common Pakistani wonders at the blatant audacity with which the rulers thump their chests and claim they have the peoples vote, they are doing “justice” to those who gave them their years of honor and swimming in perks. Claims of this Government in achievements have been a mile high, with PM’s previous speeches that depict he does not keep his word, the end result has been disastrous. With tax payers money they flaunt all the benefits of their offices, misusing their trust and power confided to them and yet claim to be people friendly!!

Our Prime Minister who is dearly known in his home town Multan as “Murshad Paak” (the pious guide) has been convicted by the highest court in the land and yet he made a maiden trip after the honor was bestowed upon him by the Supreme Court. The entourage accompanying the condemned premier was (70-90) people. From visa to plane fuel to boarding lodging at London’s most expensive hotel; “Churchill” to hiring of 30 limousines and rest of the paraphernalia is being paid by sweat & blood of people of Pakistan. An estimate of this tour is approximately 600,000 pounds or 8.7 Crore rupees. One wonders if they have any feelings left in their chests!

A brief look at history as it was:: When Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan made his first trip to the United States in May of 1950, he took an entourage of 5/6 people, with his wife Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan accompanying him, stopping at New York, Washington, Houston and Kansas City. President Harry Truman and our PM gave a joint press conference. He addressed the House of Representatives or the lower house of Parliament, a parade was held in honor of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's visit to New York City marching by City Hall. Begum Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Prime Minister, addressed Washington's Junior League which was women’s charitable organization in the U.S.  PM visited the home of “America’s Quaid-i-Azam,” George Washington, located in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Columbia University's Head Dwight D. Eisenhower conferred a degree upon Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, of Pakistan. Columbia University is New York’s oldest institution of higher education, founded as King’s College in 1754. Eisenhower later became the first American President to visit Pakistan. This was a rare accolade afforded to very few visiting foreign leaders. It was a trip that signified simplicity, austerity, sophistication and at the same time pride in representing a free state.

Similar was the case with President Ayub Khan’s trip in July 1961 to the United States. His daughter, Begum Nasir Akhtar Aurangzeb accompanied him along with 6 people in the entourage. The President took the national airline for the visit and never bothered to Charter a plane for himself and his daughter. His activities included: A state dinner at Mt. Vernon, a visit to the Islamic Center of Washington, a parade in New York City. President Ayub’s visit also included a trip to San Antonio where he toured and laid wreath at The Alamo, followed by a barbeque hosted by Vice President Johnson at his ranch in Stonewall, TX. Mind you, those were days when Pakistan’s economy was termed as “the Decade of Development” which was at its way up according to the graph indicators.

The culture of expensive and large entourages were started by Mr. Bhutto, followed by General Zia-ul-Haq which has now increased in spending and number of people travelling with a Pakistani head of state. One is left to wonder: If the two premiers Liaquat Ali Khan and Ayub Khan could carry out their state visits to the US in austerity, where they were greeted twice with open arms, warmth, and affection by the host country, couldn’t our present day premier do the same? Gilani’s lavish expenditure, taking free loaders to the UK wouldn’t have made any difference to the British dignitaries or people of that country; In fact, if PM Gilani had some anguish in using the public funds he would have been given higher pedestals of respect by UK, anyhow, this excursion has made another dent into the ailing treasury of Pakistan. One wishes the PM’s mammoth ego can understand that the Lordship behavior applies to rich monarchs and flourishing economies and not to a poor country’s representative. That wastage of funds by him only deepens the misery and deprivation people of Pakistan face.

Another point of shameful agony was faced by citizens of this country after watching a horrendous interview given by our Premier to CNN. The interviewer Becky Anderson asked many questions among them a few gave jolts of embarrassment for any Pakistani with a logical mind. She referred to the other countries and pointed out that if corruption charges were put up on any minister they leave the office on Moral grounds, what credibility does he have to stay in the office till the last straw snaps? Then she gave the Gallup Poll survey which was released during the last year it indicated: “Less than one third of Pakistani’s have confidence in the national Government, local police and honesty of elections. 81% see the Government rife with corruption, only 20% that one in five people approve of their national leaders. A Damning Indictment! A Dysfunctional Society!”  Our Premier’s reply was: Either you say democracy or you say dictatorship. (What democracy Mr. Prime Minister? Sir, this is more like Plunderocracy!) Then she preceded to the last question which revealed the true face of our leader when she announced; “A third of Pakistani’s want to leave the country, this is what the latest Gallup Poll says,” Lo and behold, the premier replies, “And why don’t they leave? Who is stopping them?” The smile on his face was enough to silent the interviewer, & the ones who watched later. What a Shame! Mr. Prime Minister, you are in the office because of people, and this is the attitude you carry? What incentives, reforms have you given to the masses? With excessive borrowings that equal the amount of the rest of country’s history what makes you credible to remain in seat?

Unfortunately, Mr. Jinnah our founding father who lovingly brought people to this country in 1947 must have tossed and turned in his grave or would have quivered with disgust today if he was alive. Mr. Jinnah was also a man who minced no words, stood no humbug, and called a spade a spade. His golden quote: “Faith, Unity, and Discipline” has been twisted today by the likes of our premier to: “Money, Clan, and Swindling.”

Copyright ©2011-2050 Ayesha Zee Khan. Reproduction: Poetry/articles/stories strictly prohibited. Watermark template. Template images bymicheldenijs. Powered by Blogger.

Published on the following links:
http://dailyausaf.com/epaper/2012/05/17/page/15/

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=155705

http://www.islamabadtimesonline.com/gilanis-extravagance/ 

" Youth Collaborate"

In every society we see youth taking part in the developments that happen around them. Their contribution always come in as a solution to grave problems. They say: When a youth of a nation mobilizes itself that is where changes start to happen for better. The energy, brightness and Vibrancies of young minds act as torch bearer for a nation. On the contrary, countries that fail to realize the importance of this lag behind in every department of life. This is one of the reasons Pakistan is backward; the youth lacks proper patronage. Developed countries are totally aware of this treasure’s worth; that is why they emphasize on Education, Employment, Welfare activities and Social Awareness programs etc.

The great Allama Iqbal in his philosophical thought stressed in his expression to leave an impact on youngsters of the nation. In October 1937 issuing a message to a gathering of Muslim Students Federation held at Calcutta he spoke the following words that are applicable in today’s Pakistan, “I hope the young generation is fully aware of the delicate political situation through which the Indian Muslims are passing. Be not afraid of the opposing forces. Continue your struggle. In struggle lies hidden; the secret of life.”
This secret of life, the struggle, has been realized by Pakistani youth after seeing multiple failures in the corrupted society that they live in. For melioration of surroundings the Insaf Students Federation organized a Membership Campaign Drive which was officially held at the Royal Palm Country Club on the 5^th May 2012 for youth to become volunteers, they gather on just one SMS, get registered, no age limit, participate and make history in the change for better. With 10^th May as launch of door to door campaigning to start the youth were urged to fight for the future survival of Pakistan. Showing passion these young people are motivated to participate in the PTI inner party elections in which they give choice to a candidate from with in the party. PTI is thus the only party which has asked its young to determine who fits. It also becomes the only party which will have leaders from the middle class, it is the only party that wants to give a chance to the deserving on merit only. President ISF, Farukh Habib commended his Lahore team for their fine efforts in strengthening the ground work in circulating awareness amongst youth. The crisis management will need a lot of hard work and that can only be poured in by young, strong, valiant persons of this country. 

With 3.7 Million bogus votes registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan, people who had died 18 years ago have voted thrice in the previous elections! In such severe odds, casting ones vote is not just a right it’s an obligation that every individual must take. Not casting a vote is a crime! Problems of this country are grave, but they can be solved with positivity of achieving results, for it is ones approach to determine either you want to stand a winner or a looser in a social system. Governance that is dependent on YOUR vote. Leaders are chosen by people, those whom you chose will have your fate in their hands. Always remember, leaders are not greater than your country. So chose that you can entrust the future of this country with confidence for this boundary of four provinces is your home, it has been given a death sentence by looters, criminals, plunderers who have made a market-place or mandi of “wheel & deal”, “scams”, scandals and money laundering. They will take an exit from here when conditions become unfavorable for them.

If one compares Monarchy with Succession of Inheritance: Monarchs that become King/Queen are the best from the family, most able, most trust worthy, have the highest capability of running the affairs of the state. Whereas the Succession of Inheritance parties in Pakistan, anybody or a nobody can become the head of State! This is a dicey situation for Pakistan, if one takes a casual glace at inherited faces that are waiting in line. None of the political parties in power today will ever have elections within their parties; never will it be that middle class people become the Chairman or Chairperson. That role will always be taken by Inherited Gene pool (able or not it is Pakistan’s fate). Citizens of this country must understand this difference and then decide who best deserves to be their Rescuer.

 Organizers’ & Speakers of this event were: Rafi Khan, Farrukh Habib, Muhammad Usman, Zubair Sabir, Ibrar-ul-Haq, Mubasher Lucman and Hassan Nisar sb. To accentuate this occasion one must understand that: Man is the only creature on which the Almighty bestowed the gift to prosper and develop. Angels, who top in piety and pray day/night, were not given this ability. If one throws a cursory glance on the chronicles of mankind, one observes that whoever contributed to the development was trained and prepared to do that in his/her youth. After all, it is the foundations which determine the rigidity and strength of edifice to be built on them. Likewise, if youth is not prepared or groomed well in time, the nation is destined to doom. It is youth that holds the reigns of a country and steers it to stellar heights.

Copyright ©2011-2050 Ayesha Zee Khan. Reproduction: Poetry/articles/stories strictly prohibited. Watermark template. Template images bymicheldenijs. Powered by Blogger.
Published on the following links:
http://dailyausaf.com/epaper/2012/05/18/page/15/

http://www.islamabadtimesonline.com/youth-collaborate/

                                                

"Viva Balochistan"

Much has been seen, heard and written about the state of affairs in Balochistan post Sardar Akbar Bugti’s death on (26^th August 2006). The whole nation grieved over that mishap, to this day no one can still come to terms as to why such a mammoth personality had to suffer in the name of terrorism! The sadness of that incident multiply to neglect of  Baloch people at the hands of Central and Provincial Government  especially post-Musharraf, who deserted the province; where army and ISI had an overwhelming role, because of which the insurgency/mistrust is now getting out of Islamabad's control. The behavior of the powerful political parties and the center of Islamabad remind one of the captain and crew of the RMS Titanic sailing into the night, heading straight towards an iceberg! The civilian, military and judicial authorities are locked up in a tussle colored by political positions and personal egos. And there is a dangerous disconnect between Islamabad and the enormous problems that loom on the Pakistani horizon. 

It shows why reconciliation efforts, like the 18th Amendment and the NFC awards, have been unable to stop the Baloch from pursuing what they call a nationalist movement. The HRCP’s statement in December 2011: This land of extra judicial killings, disappearances, Security forces (SF) high handedness, and repression, as well as a playground for terrorists operating. The Province witnessed 711 fatalities, including 542 civilians, 122 SF personnel and 47 militants in 2011, as against 347 fatalities, comprising of 274 civilians, 59 SF personnel and 14 militants in 2010, Overall fatalities in 2011 thus increased by 104.89 per cent over the preceding year. Incidents of killing rose by 116 per cent, from 150 in 2010 to 321 in 2011. The number of major incidents (each involving three or more fatalities) increased by 152.17 percent, with 58 such incidents recorded in 2011, as against 23 in 2010. Bodies of: At least 225 ‘missing persons’ recovered from various parts of the Province since July 2010. Situation is particularly a grave one, for non-Muslims, minority Muslim sects, like the Hazara group. As many as 80 members of the Shia community have been killed in the Province in 2011 alone, for no reason other than their religious belief.HRCP also has serious concern at targeted killing of teachers, intellectuals and non-Baloch ‘settlers’ in Balochistan. The murder of two HRCP activists and three journalists in the Province in 2011 signifies the dangers that those highlighting human rights violations face on a daily basis. It is a matter of grave alarm that 107 new cases of enforced disappearance have been reported in Balochistan in 2011, and the ‘missing persons’ are increasingly turning up dead. It is scandalous that not a single person has been held accountable for these disappearances and killings.

To top all the above atrocities: With lack of education, no jobs, health facilities, water shortage the people of Balochistan have faced deprivation and have endured much at the hands of the rulers of Pakistan. Mistrust and alienation had been built on the center since the demise of Nawab Bugti, with no amenities provided to the common people. The mainstream political parties too never showed a helping hand or their presence in that area. They never tried to even address the symptoms of the Baloch insurgency let alone the causes. At the end of the year 2011, all political parties in power were at the same spot where they were found in the beginning of the 2010 as far as the Balochistan issue is concerned. Though Nawaz Sharif belatedly tried to display some solidarity with the marginalized people of the restive province, those too were just a few tribals and with that too, he could not go beyond rhetoric!

The brave people of that province showed their love, support and a will of co-existence with Pakistan when Imran Khan visited Quetta on the 20^th April 2012. It was as if a new contact was being established between Balochistan the province and its citizens in that historic visit. Khan Sb’s gallant move in such a scenario to see the Baloch integrated into the mainstream of Pakistani social, political, and economic life, and to ensure that democracy is a fixed element of Baloch society to achieve Baloch consolidation with the rest of Pakistan. His reiteration that:  The center should work with Baloch Sardars rather than fighting with them by encouraging a dialogue between the center and the periphery. An ending of fighting be it military or separatist, because this approach consistently failed in bringing progress to the common people. A fair share for Baloch in royalties for the natural resources extracted from Balochistan so that the economic base of the province could be fortified.

To change the environment of fear and insecurity in the province, assuring the people that their grievances would be addressed by PTI when they take power by peoples vote and pledging to alter the fate of the province once and for all. With the National Anthem of Pakistan, the crowds sang and cheered Khan Sb when he pledged to resolve the issue of Balochistan through dialogue involving all concerned stakeholders by taking them on board to alter the fate of the province. He regretted that at least three military operations had been carried out in the province in the past, and urged the Baloch leadership to talk to the PTI, assuring them that he would not deviate from the promises he would make to them.    
Chairman Imran Khan, Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Balochistan President Qasim Suri and other PTI leadership met Hazara Community at Imam Bargah Nachari Alamdar Road Quetta and offered Fateha, condolences and condemned the killing of innocent Shia people who had been targeted for being a religious minority in the province. He stressed that: The frequent occurrence of sectarian violence under the present regime is a clear indicator that the President and Prime Minister with their top leadership are disconnected with the occurrences/killings in the province, and that no security was being provided to vulnerable communities deliberately.

Copyright ©2011-2050 Ayesha Zee Khan. Reproduction: Poetry/articles/stories strictly prohibited. Watermark template. Template images bymicheldenijs. Powered by Blogger.

Published on the following links:

http://www.islamabadtimesonline.com/viva-balochistan/

http://dailyausaf.com/epaper/page/15/

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=153881