Saturday, December 10, 2011

Impact of media on youth by Amber Azmat

In the past few years teen violence has become a normal aspect of our culture. We have been exposed to so much of this violence that the public has come to accept it and has become numb to their effects. By ignoring or forgetting horrific tragedies we are only encouraging them more. A big part of what influences the younger generation are the things that they watch on television and in movies that they experience every day. Ideas like this show up in movies all the time, where the "good" guys seek out the "bad" guys to give them what they have coming, in a sense. Themes like these make younger people think that this is the right way to solve problems.
Watching violent television programs and movies increase violent behaviors in children. Excessive television watching contributes to the increased rate of childhood obesity. It has a harmful effect on learning and academic performance as well. Moreover watching certain programs may also encourage irresponsible sexual behavior.
Therefore media has had a bad effect on a generation, mainly because youth is strongly influenced by media. Teenagers and children wish to follow the people, who get recognized and do what they do to get noticed.
On the other hand media has also played a significant role in making world a global village and to reduce the communication gaps amongst the people living in the far areas but unfortunately, media these days has become a “commercialized sector”, eying the news which is hot and good at selling. The goal is to gain the television rating points.

I believe, if the media identifies its responsibility and work sincerely and honestly, and then it can serve as a great force in building the nation.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Bird Like Drones In Pakistan

In recent years the US has sharply increased its used of armed drones to target militants in Pakistan’s tribal region, a volatile area bordering war-torn Afghanistan. The covert CIA drone program has been deeply unpopular with many Pakistanis, who say the attacks kill civilians and are a violation of their country’s sovereignty.



The latest was an unidentified bird like mini UAV that crashed last month in central-north of Pakistan. Pakistani sources claimed it was an American surveillance drone equipped with a camera that crashed in southwestern Pakistan on Thursday close to the Afghan border. The unmanned aircraft went down because of a technical fault just inside Pakistani territory in Chaman town, in insurgency-hit Baluchistan province.



The design secret behind its seemingly effortless flight is the fact its wings don’t simply beat up and down like many other ornithopter designs (the technical term for flying drones like this) but they also twist at “specific angles” much like a real gull’s wing will do–positioning the wing tips at the best angle for generating lift and spilling less waste air. An “active articulated torsional drive” is at the heart of it, aided by clever wing joints, accurate sensors for calculating the wing’s position in real time, and a low-weight motor that eats up just 25 watts. The bird even communicates its flight data back to the remote operator in real time, letting them adjust fine parameters like wing torsion in real time to achieve optimum flight.



I believe it is time for Pakistan to unite against this aggression. Because it is causing our social fabric to distort more and more. By widening the already huge gap created by the different classes in our country.

By
Umer Qasim
Section I
BBA 3

your time to shine by isfandyar

i fought, i swore, you died and then i cried and wished i valued you more instead of just walking out the door when you needed me most as you hopped from door to door and travelled from coast to coast.

there is something within me that has broken beyond repair and pain stares at me, totally aware that i can never have you and you are not there. sometimes the pain dulls down but sometimes it comes back with a vengence, teaching me a thing or two about putting myself in other peoples shoe.

sometimes i bleed and try not to pay heed to the stone that makes me stumble and fall to the floor as i crumble.

there are some things in this world that are beyond our reach and they teach us a few things and highlight the pain that this world is bound to bring.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Window pane - Trailer



When you are ready to let go of a painful memory and are ready tell your story...
What would you say? Would you tell the truth? Would you relive your past, mistake by mistake, regret by regret? Or you would paint a little magic on to the canvas, to ease your soul.
If the pictures of your life start to move to tell your story, who would you tell? Most importantly,Would you watch?

Staring: Sameer Rahmad & Aqib Zahid

Directed by: Ubaid Ullah Ahmed
Story by: Schazeen Bukhari & Zara Mirza

Make up: Amber Azmat
Lights: Tazeen Hamid
Sound: Ayesha Nadeem


for more of our work check:
http://facebook.com/ubaid.ullah.ahmed

Winter 2011-2012 Fashion Trends by Ayesha Nadeem Section I bba III

Today, we all discuss the fashion developments involving Fall/ Wintertime 2011/2012. In extension involving past fall-winter collections, there exists little development this year, nevertheless a variation for a passing fancy designs: the particular cape, printed arty or even retro, the actual sixties and also nineteen seventies, the actual blurring in the inventors, functioning components, particularly developed, but also the change associated with types already in place inside ladies dressing up razor-sharp.

One of many trend items which are recognized for becoming comfortable, refreshing and feminine, is undoubtedly the actual extended dress. Lots of the superstars know this and also have made a decision to get in touch with put on in the pub. We are able to not really don’t point out that just about the most flexible as well as repeating things this summer and also celebrities keep this out there.


The fall season is not just about pulling out the summer outfits in the clothing collection and padding it with all the greatest of the wintertime garments. It indicates delivering several exclusive changes on the additional elements of fashion also. Alongside items, it is equipment that make females drink too much. Amongst all the other add-ons, most women are simply to get a fetish for starters special kind and that is hardly anything else when compared with purses. next year Slide gifts some of the most wonderful ladies handbag developments that could give a excellent conclude to any apparel.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

12 things u need to know about Veena Malik by Omer Bhatti


Veena Malik, a Pakistani actress, model and comedienne, has denied posing nude for after an alleged photo of her appeared on the Indian online edition of FHM.

Here are twelve things you need to know about the former ex-girlfriend of disgraced cricketer Mohammad Asif who was jailed last month for his role in the Pakistan match-fixing scandal.

1) Veena was born in Rawalpindi, a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near the capital city of Islamabad, to an Army soldier and his wife. She is believed to have been born in 1978.

2) Before becoming an actress, Veena worked as a comedian for several television shows and series. She made her acting debut alongside Shaan and Zara Sheikh in Askari's Tere Pyar Mein in 2000.

3) Veena was a basketball player throughout school and college.

Click here for 'Veena Malik: Watch behind the scenes video of Pakistani model's sexy photo shoot'

4) She is reported to have graduated with a BA degree in Sociology, Psychology and Persian.

5) In 2007, she appeared on the red carpet for the Lux Style Awards, being awarded the tag of “most stylish celebrity on the carpet”.

6) After achieving greater fame through a series of ‘Lollywood’ movies - the term used to describe films made in Lahore - she really hit the big time when taking part in the Indian version of Big Brother, Big Boss 4, in 2010.

7) She was evicted two weeks before the finals, and was one of the final six contestants out of the original fourteen who had participated. WWE wrestler The Great Khali was also among the housemates.

8) Her outspoken views have won her many fans from Pakistan’s youth and liberals. Confronted about her “immoral” behaviour by cleric Mufti Abdul Qawi on a talk show, she insisted that Pakistan had far more issues to focus on than her.

9) In February of this year Veena, became part of a Cricket World Cup reality show called Big Toss where she was captain of one of the two teams.

10) She has worked as a representative at the World Health Organization for over two years.

11) According to reports, her favourite Indian cricketer is Sachin Tendulkar – although she is a fan of the Australian game too. “But if there’s a cricketer I deeply admire, it is Brett Lee,” she said.


12) In response to criticism that she thrives on controversies and scandals, Veena is reported to have suggested she has not been praised enough for being caught up in the match-fixing scandal involving Mohammad Asif.

It is claimed she said: “I seriously expected a bravery award after what I have done. My life isn’t secure anymore after these revelations. This is a male-dominated world and they try to cut to size all bold women. In Pakistan, it is a crime to be bold, beautiful and young. And I am all three.”

Our Educational System!

Until 10 years ago, Pakistani universities followed a mix of different structural approaches. Engineering programmes were designed on the US model, while science and social sciences programmes largely followed the UK model. Higher education suffered from a flawed bureaucratic structure. Research had deteriorated to a level where academics would write newspaper articles and call them research. They were more interested in grades, promotions and politics than teaching and research. Turning universities into seats of quality education and useful research was a monumental challenge, assigned to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

Its predecessor, the University Grants Commission, served more as a controller of universities, but the HEC also facilitated and promoted research.

The HEC brought structural reforms by defining a standard semester system - 128 to 136 credit hours typically taken in eight semesters over four years for a bachelor's degree, 30 credit hours for a master's degree and 18 credits in a minimum of six courses for a PhD.
It also introduced standardised qualification exams, encouraged international evaluation, and stressed publication of research in international journals. Third-party or external evaluation of research, establishment of creditation councils and quality enhancement cells in universities, and emphasis on permanent faculty for masters and PhD programmes were some of the other features of the new paradigm, based largely on the US model of higher education.

By now, Pakistan's academic landscape seems to have undergone a major change. In 2002, the number of international publications from Pakistani researches was less than 600. It rose to 5,200 in 2010. Between 2009 and 2010, there has been a fivefold increase in Finance and Economics publications by Pakistani authors. There has been a significant increase in the percentage of Pakistani articles in research literature of the world. Despite a much smaller budget for higher education, Pakistan contributes as much to international research as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and has surpassed many other countries in the last few years. It still lags behind Iran and Turkey, however.

The number of citations per publication for Pakistani authors has remained constant over the years, and that indicates the quality has not gone down.

Today, more than 50 percent of British universities run research collaborations with Pakistan that involve about 1,000 Pakistani students
More than 5,000 students have been given scholarships for PhD programmes abroad in the last decade. About 90 percent of them returned to serve Pakistan. The HEC is pursuing 30 cases against scholars who breached the undertaking that they would return. All the returning scholars were incentivised with a guaranteed one year job with a starting salary of Rs80,000 and half a million rupees in research grant. And officials say this has worked.

But with constant political turmoil and a relatively low priority for education, Pakistan has a long way to go. In societies based on knowledge and research, the university is the core of social, economic and scientific progress. It is bound to the community, industry, and government, all of which rely on the university for policy research that impacts the entire society.

In Pakistan, there is little emphasis on knowledge, and therefore little knowledge exchange. In the words of Dr Sohail Naqvi, who used to be a senior official at the HEC and has studied and taught in the US, "We have just been barren in knowledge transfer to various segments of the society."

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The 3 Ingredients That Make Any Life Change Achievable


Making the changes that will help us achieve a more balanced life often seems like a gamble – sometimes they stick and sometimes they don’t.

But is there a way to make sure that they’ll stick every time?

The answer is Yes, and No.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to make life changes so easy that they ALWAYS work the FIRST time.

But there IS a way to make sure they always stick EVENTUALLY and it requires these 3 essential ingredients.
1. Compassion

Really? Why would this be the first ingredient?

The reason is that most of what you fear about failing is actually your fear of how hard you’ll be on yourself and all the negative things you’ll say that it means about you if you fail.

Then the need to avoid all that judgment places enormous inner pressure on you to succeed. And pressure ALWAYS makes any goal harder to achieve.

Compassion is a response that says “It’s OK. I’m here. I understand.” And it’s something you can give to yourself, not just others.

Compassion accepts whatever is true in this moment and allows it to just “be”, so you can move forward from it.

Compassion doesn’t need to judge or blame or shame you because it knows that all your outcomes are OK, just as they are. And so are you.

When you can look forward to a compassionate response from yourself even if you fail, it takes ALL the pressure off and makes it so much easier to try making the changes you want.
2. Permission to Fail

In my last guest post here, I talked about how important it is to allow yourself the time to keep working at it when you’re trying to change your habits.

This is because, when you introduce anything new in your life, whether its a new eating habit or bedtime or a less hectic schedule, your brain needs time to build new pathways and neurons around it.

So even if you fail over and over again, you’re still building these new pathways in your brain and eventually the change will start to feel natural.

The problem is – most of us don’t give ourselves permission to fail this many times at something without just giving up.

Instead, we make up a story about what a failure we are or how we’ll never be able to do this and we stop trying. (That’s why compassion is the first ingredient!)

So giving yourself permission to fail before you even start gives your brain time to build new pathways and keeps you from ending up in a hurtful story that will only keep you stuck.
3. Willingness to Try Again

As you might guess, this is the ingredient that makes it possible to achieve almost any change, because it simply means that you won’t give up.

And persistence virtually guarantees success!

Many of us approach life changes with our WILL or the sense that we’ll force a positive outcome or muscle our way to the result we want.

Willingness has a very different feeling to it.

Its almost a kind of surrender.

Willingness is like saying “I know I’m not in control of every part of this path, and I know things might not be going the way I wanted, but I’m willing to keep trying anyway.”

Willingness can also help you tap into your deeper reason for seeking change in your life and what it will truly mean to you to achieve it.

In order to be willing, even AFTER you’ve already failed, you’ll need a reason to try again and that reason is your fuel to keep going.

These 3 things together – compassion, permission to fail and willingness to try again – create a pathway to change that’s less stressful, more open, more encouraging and a lot easier on you.

I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on these ingredients and how you’ve experienced the process of creating positive change. Join the discussion in the comments below.

Monday, November 28, 2011

For Honor or For Prejudice?


Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person. Men and women of full age without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry or to have a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage and its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the attending spouses. The family is the natural and fundamental group, unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and state. But the right to life of women in Pakistan is conditional on their obeying social norms and traditions.

Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1996, still women continue to be commoditized for land or money, given as swara (compensation for murder/dispute settlement) or watta satta (men acquire a wife by offering a sister or daughter in exchange), women are abused, raped or murdered by close relatives. ‘Honor’ killing was once an unusual custom but has more recently evolved into a common practice in which men kill sisters, daughters, or other female family members to avenge a ‘shame’ or ‘dishonor’ she is accused of bringing upon her family or tribe.

Behaviors considered to be ‘dishonorable’ are many and can include a woman wanting to marry a man of her choice; wishing to seek employment outside the home; publicly disobeying the family patriarch; being accused of having illicit relations or seeking a divorce.

‘Honor’ killings are possible because these inhumane acts are not condemned by society, the law does not punish perpetrators as only 20 % of honor killings are ever brought to justice. Though the government has now passed a law according to which murders committed on the name of ‘honor’ would be considered intentional murder. Yet the law is not sufficient to control this problem because in all cases the murderers are the close relatives of the victim (woman), i.e. father, brother or husband, who also have the privilege to resolve the issue on behalf of the deceased woman. It means when a person, father, brother or husband kills his wife, sister or daughter, they sit together and resolve the case before it goes to the police for investigation or even if it goes the police later on, they withdraw the case. Besides, state institutions deal with these crimes against women with extraordinary leniency and the law provides many loopholes for murderers in the name of honour to kill without punishment.

Media is one of the main sources for bringing the honor killing cases to surface. It is considered to be comparatively more authentic source for honor killing data in Pakistan, as rights groups compile their reports about honor killing on the daily reporting of newspapers and other media news. The present case is one of those which media published and it got nationwide attention including the parliament.

It is imperative that we youngsters take matters into our own hands now and explore arenas to put a stop to this inhumane practice. This is a revolution we need and i write this article to bring this dreadful issue under your notice. I hope that you all too realize how dangerous this phenomena is and how essential it is to step forward and stop it.


 by Anam Nawaz Malik

A new leader

Imran khan is a man of his words and believes in thinking aloud at all times. He does not doublespeak and nor he plays mind games with the youth. After all the hardships now the time is here when he has a firm grip on the youth of Pakistan. He is no diplomat and does not know how to mince words; he says aloud what is happening around us, how the people of our country have been smashed under the feet of the current government who have left the nation to rot in its own isolation, making it all the more irrelevant to the rest of the world.

Today we see an endearing leader in Imran khan who boots for success and does not know of failure, nothing seems to bog him down, he breaks all the obstacles and strides forward whatever comes in his way.

He is a confident man and is not afraid of saying the right thing; as in an interview when he was asked that why no bomb blast erupted in his “jalsa in lahore” whereas every time if there is such a big event in Pakistan everybody is afraid of bomb blasts he replied; “Mai America ka phito nahi hun, jo un kay chochlay karun”.

He wants to build a nation for us that has access to a modern life with educational and healthcare utilities, employment opportunities and a social network for all groups of people so that they can share their sorrows and problems and there problems then be properly solved.

He wants our world to be cleansed of all infidels and wants to establish Allah’s writ in this unruly world which is full of evil attractions for the rich, a whole generation of pious sons must be raised, every one of whom is a mujahid, ready to kill and maim all those who oppose Allah and his Kingdom.

All in all we see that Imran Khan enjoys a reputation for probity, having set up a cancer hospital in honor of his mother, who died of the disease. He also has a flash of glamour through which he very intelligently has gained acceptance of the youth. His political views are firmly rooted in a particular view of Islam. He does not favors changes to the notorious blasphemy law. He is putting in positive energy in order to give us a more promising life with less load shedding, more air conditioning and international mobility.

We the youth want to see Imran khan as our leader and want to support him to bring a remarkable revolution to our nation!


-- by Humna kapur

Boom Boom Afridi


Don’t bother looking at the umpire’s finger when Shahid Afridi takes a wicket, just watch the man himself. The instant Afridi strikes his star-man pose, fingers pointing to the heavens, cue pandemonium. Sharjah, scene of heroics from the revolutions of Javed Miandad’s bat and the bowling arms of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, has the boom of Mr Boom Boom to add to its legend. Afridi didn’t simply win the Man-of-the-Match award, he owned it.

As Sharjah’s cricket public revived the thumping atmosphere of bygone days, Pakistan’s players rekindled some past attributes. Spirit, an ancient virtue, was in evidence as Sarfraz Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal supported Afridi to pose a total of opportunity. Later that same spirit surged through the Pakistan team as Sri Lanka crumbled, losing seven wickets in the space of 19 runs. Pakistan’s bowlers were once masters of defending a low total just as the lower order was accustomed to fighting for every run. Those skills seemed lost but are beginning to return.

Here Afridi was an inspirational catalyst. First he coaxed his fellow batsmen to rally around him, as he produced one of those responsible efforts that leave you wondering why he doesn’t control himself more often, hitting through the line with effortless power. With the batting Powerplay and Ajmal for company, the moment seemed ripe for death or glory. Instead, Afridi worked the ball with good sense, rightfully trusting his partner, and launching himself when the ball merited it. This was an atypical Afridi assault, a sensible one, and it perplexed Sri Lanka.

Ajmal was a willing accomplice with bat - and he would later prove to be the same with the ball - nonchalantly stroking the Sri Lanka bowlers and flicking his head to demonstrate his self-belief. In any other match, a match not utterly dominated by Afridi’s personality, Ajmal would have been its most valuable player.

Under the dark Sharjah sky and blinding lights that had flummoxed Dilhara Fernando’s attempt to catch an Afridi missile, the star man shot through Sri Lanka’s innings with leg-breaks, googlies, off-breaks, and rocket-powered faster balls, inducing an ear-splitting ecstatic cacophony in the stadium as loud and frenzied as in any of its previous 200 ODIs.

Afridi’s return to international colours was always a formality; a return to heroics was far less predictable, especially with such measured thrill-making. One of the issues with Afridi has always been how to harness his ability, and on this evidence Mohsin Khan and Misbah-ul Haq may be on to something. Misbah has allowed the strong personalities in his team, like Afridi and Younis Khan, to flourish, demonstrate leadership, and take ownership. Misbah’s captaincy is shorn of ego, a maturity that has escaped Pakistan cricket for decades, perhaps since the time of Mushtaq Mohammad, and creates an environment for flair with responsibility.

Whatever the magic formula, Pakistan must stick to it, for despite a couple of areas that need strengthening in the starting XI Misbah’s team have developed a winning habit. Sri Lanka’s poor form has helped but Pakistan, especially the bowlers, have been hard to suppress at times.

A diligent team becomes dynamic when Afridi is roused and booming. When Afridi strikes the pose and the crowd roars its approval, any neutral venue would become a home away from home. For Pakistan, Sharjah has always felt like a second home. In those circumstances, when the stadium lights lit up, a night of magic should have been booming at us from the stars.

By:Shahrukh Mian

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pakistani Revolution

A country divided upon various aspects of society, broken by the savage act of terrorism and battered by its internal problems, Pakistan is not only facing a controversial period of its history but also a very delicate and crucial one. 60 years of endless poverty, crime, false regimes and self-centeed political figures Pakistan’s issues are well documented and argued upon. Blame games, lies and broken promises with an unstable government have halted the progress of a nation with unquestionable potential and resources.




We are a country dangling on the edges of bankruptcy, depending upon foreign aid and the IMF for a stable economic system. GDP growth has slowed down over the years as more and more threats surface. A dismantled Judiciary dealing with rising crime rates, high level frauds and a non-cooperative government have only raised the worries of a nation so young, of a nation founded upon the principles of Unity Faith and Discipline. Today we see the fragmentation of social values, culture and strong bonds of community that threaten family life and most importantly the YOUTH. Many have suggested a forthcoming revolution, a rebellion to overthrow the corrupt and uninspiring era of “unworthy” leaders. Neglecting education, principle aims and embodying of civilized objectives for our youth has encouraged the moral disintegration of our future leaders. An armed effort is still a distant thought, though with the increasing poverty levels it might become inevitable. The French Revolution comes to our minds once we think of such a conflict; the people not only despised the monarch but also their own system of living. The rich were another people, a much more important sect. The poor were suffering peasants who were hungry, homeless and hopeless. The social structure needed change, but most importantly the people themselves drastically needed an equal society to mould their lives upon. The Declaration of Human Rights not only gave them a logical solution but also a liberal and stable system of living.



When we think of a revolution in Pakistan, we have to bring various aspects into perspective. What we see is a developing upper class but also a suffering lower class that sink into the depths of poverty and injustice. Frankly, the country is not facing a famine neither tax free upper class. What we do face is the inability of the liberty to think, to explore and to assess the current social and political situation. That being said, the people of Pakistan are confined within the boundaries of conservative ideology. When we as a nation break free from the bonds of mental slavery and escape the imprisonment of our liberal thought, only then will we be free. Only that would be considered a successful Revolution and a regeneration of our nationalist feeling.






By:Toseef Ahmad



Section: I



ID: 09U0538

Changing Lifestyle

The old system of classification of society is changing gradually but surely and certainly.
We may go for some little changes. For instance, we may change clothing style. We may change our room setting. We may change our eating stuff. We may do whatever makes us happy.
Change is essential for life and society both. From the independence day of August 14, 1947 up to date, Pakistan’s has been a society in transition. The society of Pakistan ever-changing, and its patterns are changing transforming from time to time. The national society has been responding to the challenges of environment, natural and man-made. No department of life – be it economic, cultural, religious or recreational – has been free from the effect of this great transformation in progress.
The factors and circumstances responsible for these changes can be enumerated as below; partition of sub-continent, technological and scientific inventions, growth of urbanization and industrialization, expansion of commercial activities and international trade, changes in the economic structure of the country initiating the industrialization of its economy, the spread of literacy resulting in the rise of a secular intelligentsia, the effect of the spread of different ideologies of different political parties in the country, the impact of the highly developed countries of the world on our society, the working and influence of the trade union and co-operative movement, the expansion of the area reached by the mass media of communication like radio, press, cinema, television etc. migration and finally cultural diffusion.
Changes are the spice of life. Is it true? Of course YES! It is true because everybody needs a change in whatever he is doing. We want changes around us. Monotonous life just makes us feel bored. It is good to have a change. It is not important that we should go for big changes everyday. We may go for little changes that should be pretty affordable. If we are seeking for a healthy and entertaining life then changes are very important. Changes must be positive. If we will go for negative ones then they will obviously have a negative impact upon our lives. Negative impacts are accountable for some more negative changes so we need to be assiduous in this regard.
Changes play a vital role in our life. change sometimes make us happy and sometimes it hurts. but we should all be prepare for changes in our lives.

Revolutionary approach

this article is about education in Pakistan. The fact that a majority of people in Pakistan (63 per cent of the population) is currently under the age of 25 years, makes the availability of affordable education and training opportunities an immediate need or the country risks a very bleak economic and social future.

It is crucial to the survival of a healthy economy and society that everyone becomes aware of the critical role of education in society and participates very actively in bringing about an education revolution in Pakistan. Education concerns and affects every aspect of society. It is time that every teacher, businessman, professional, worker and parent realises that education must be made available to every citizen. The consequences of not doing so are severe and impact everyone's life. It must become the concern of the whole society to provide each and every student with the opportunity and support to succeed.

Education is not only a basic human right, but also a necessity for a functional modern society. Education is the engine of economic prosperity for the individual and the nation. It is a major factor behind improved public health and high quality of life, and a tool of achieving great intellectual discoveries, democracy and world peace.

Even in developed countries, education is continuously considered as one of the pillars of economic development and prosperity. In the United States of America during the entire week of September 26, education made headlines in the media in a concerted effort to restore its status as a national priority and a key for the country's success. In the interactive summit "Education Nation", teachers, community leaders, governors, students, philanthropists, and parents were brought together in a "Learning Plaza" to discuss and find solutions to improve one of the most advanced education systems in the world.

Unfortunately in Pakistan, the news headlines are mostly about severe budget cuts for education, especially higher education and the critical situation of the education system that is failing its clients and its purpose.

This is the time for us to change the outlook, perspective and understanding of the role of education and what it means to everyone personally as well as collectively. As an organised society with clear goals on how to improve education, an education revolution must be called for and must be carried out to reclaim the position of education as an engine of progress, prosperity and well being for the people of Pakistan.


 by Saba Mushtaq

A revolution about to begin....

At the height of his cricket glory days, Imran Khan would visualise winning – standing on the podium, cup held aloft – and propelling Pakistan to victory. Last weekend, standing before a sea of supporters in Lahore, he had a similar epiphany about his political career.

"As I stood there, watching them, I knew the moment had come," Khan, who is the leader of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insafr party, said. "Now nothing can stop us. This is a revolution, a tsunami. We will not just win the next elections – we will sweep them."

Whether the former cricket captain can translate rhetoric into reality is hotly debated. Yet few doubt that last weekend's rally sent shockwaves across Pakistan's moribund political system.

Over 100,000 people crammed into a historic Lahore park. Many were middle-class Pakistanis – young, urban, educated – drawn by Khan's rhetoric and their anger at conventional politics.

"This is the emergence of a new force. The cry for change is resonating across Pakistan," said Ayaz Amir, a parliamentarian from rival Nawaz Sharif's party, who was there. "Young, old, professionals, women – I've never seen such people at a public meeting in Pakistan before."

The sight, Amir added, had "scared the living daylights" out of his own party.

But others are sceptical that Khan represents real change. "We've heard this rhetoric many times before," said Badar Alam, editor of Herald magazine. "I'm cautious about it. I don't know what agenda he is really promoting."

Khan is visibly buoyant. For years he has campaigned on a platform of what some call "anti-politics" – virulent criticism of the graft and patronage that infect Pakistani politics. Now, he says, he has been proved right.

Sitting on the veranda of his hilltop farmhouse outside Islamabad, he pointed across the city at the presidential palace. "[President Asif Ali] Zardari is a crook, nothing more," he said. "We've broken all records in corruption."

His plan for the economy is to "inspire" Pakistanis to pay tax – currently only 2% do so. "We just need to have some austerity and collect taxes. If we do that, we can balance our budgets," he said.

In power, Khan said, he would cut off American aid. "I want to be a friend of the Americans, not their lackey. Aid is a curse for a poor country; it stops you making the required reforms and props up crooks."

But perhaps most alarmingly for Pakistan's western allies – and some Pakistanis – Khan says he would negotiate with instead of fighting the Taliban militants who have been bombing Pakistani cities.

"Anyone who thinks this country will be taken over by Taliban are fools. There's no concept of a theocracy anywhere in the Muslim world for the past 1,400 years. If I came to power, I could end this conflict in 90 days – guaranteed."

Khan's choice of allies, many of them veterans of previous political dispensations, has also been controversial. Khan's foreign policy adviser, Shireen Mazari, is famously hostile to India; when editing a national newspaper she ran stories that branded British, Australian and American journalists as "CIA agents".

"I don't agree with her on everything. We give her hell on certain views," he says.

Yet Khan is defiantly proud that his newfound success is vindication against what he calls the "liberal, westernised elite" – wealthy, English-speaking Pakistanis who, he claims, are out of touch with the realities of their own country. "I call them coconuts: brown on the outside, white on the inside, looking at Pakistan through a westernised lens," he says.

His political views are firmly rooted in a particular view of Islam. He does not favour changes to the notorious blasphemy law – a virulent debate that led to the assassination of his friend Salmaan Taseer last January. "The time is not right. There would be bloodshed. We need to worry about other things," he says.

And he is careful to direct his barbs away from the powerful military, which controls relations with India, the US and the fight against the Taliban. Although Khan enthusiastically criticises [former president Pervez] Musharraf, who is now in exile, he has little criticism of the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani.

"I have been critical of the generals in the past. I told them they are selling our blood for dollars," he says. "But this is not martial rule. It's up to our corrupt government to take responsibility." If he was in power and the army interfered, he says, he would resign. "We would go back to the people."

Khan enjoys a reputation for probity, having set up a cancer hospital in honour of his mother, who died of the disease. He also has a flash of glamour. A famous Pakistani pop band, Strings, opened last week's rally; supporters include his former wife, Jemima Khan, who attended a recent press conference in Islamabad to protest at CIA-led drone strikes in the tribal belt.

For some Pakistanis, Khan simply represents a protest against a moribund political system. "He's a bit of an idiot," said an architect from Lahore. "But he's better than the rest. I would vote for him."

To achieve his dream of becoming prime minister, Khan needs to convert his newfound popularity into seats in parliament (he has none, having boycotted the 2008 poll). To do so, he may have to recruit the same "corrupt" politicians to achieve a majority. "This is his most deadly flaw," says Herald editor Alam.

And time is short. Pakistan's next election is set for February 2013 at the latest, although a snap election is a possibility.

His party remains weak, he has few candidates and, crucially, many of his supporters have never voted before. Whether they will now, says Alam, is "perhaps the biggest unknown in Pakistani politics today."
Background

Although a self-styled "revolutionary", Imran Khan's politics are far from the fevered streets of the Arab Spring. The difference is democracy: whereas across the Muslim world, dissidents are fighting for the right to vote, Pakistanis already have it. But many dislike the leaders those elections have thrown up, hence the current upheaval.

President Asif Ali Zardari is an accidental leader, propelled into the job after his wife, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in December 2007. (Police indicted seven people for her killing last month, including two policemen, but the details remain murky.) Zardari has struggled to shake off the "Mr 10%" moniker – a reference to alleged corruption – while deteriorating economic and security conditions have plunged his poll ratings into the low teens.

But the main opposition challenger, Nawaz Sharif, has failed to capitalize on this misfortune. His N-league party, which controls the Punjab government, has grown unpopular for failing to contain an outbreak of dengue fever in recent months. Sharif is also estranged from the powerful military, which launched him into politics in the 1980s, due to his long-standing rivalry with Pervez Musharraf, the general who ousted Sharif from power in 1999.

The turmoil has emboldened challengers. One is Musharraf, who currently lives in exile in London, and has vowed to return to Pakistan next March. But the general faces numerous obstacles, including court prosecutions, security threats and opposition from the army leadership. The other is Khan, until recently viewed as a fringe player in national politics, seen most often on chatshows and protests against drone strikes.

All eyes are now fixed on senate elections next March, which should see Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party take control of the upper house – and, possibly, pave the way for a second term as president for Zardari.

Why we want change ???

Yesterday I traveled from Lahore to my ancestral village a few kilometers away from Narowal. There was a huge difference from living standards to ideas and thoughts when compared with our lives in Lahore and all there was a distance of 150 kilometers between the two areas. All along the way there were huge display signs and banners with "We Want Change" written on them. Most of those belonged to Imran Khan's "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf" but there were also quite a few new names that I had never heard or seen on a banner before yet the message was the same i.e. "We want change" which got me thinking "why do we want change?". What is it that compels us to have a new or different scenario than that we have now? Why do we wish to change the current system? What is wrong with the way things are now?There are so many answers to theses questions. Some are same for everyone and some are different. For someone change means equal opportunity. For someone change means freedom. For someone change means "do waqt ki roti". As a whole change means end of corruption, end of tyranny, end of shortages whether it might be food, electricity, gas, water. But then are we that miserable that we can't take it anymore. If thats the case then why do we allow the system to remain the same. Why do we not act and show our hatred with words only. Are we cowards? Maybe we don't have it in ourselves to stand up and speak for our rights. We gladly stand behind others and say that we want change but when it comes to take the heat we are no where to be found. Just think that if there was no Imran Khan compelling us to have or want change, would we still want change. And if yes then would we be capable to stand on our own to say it out loud without anyone's help. That is a question that we need to ask ourselves.

Posted by Muhammad Mohsin Shahzad

Corruption Has Become Our Need

In our country corruption is just like the oil that makes the wheels of the government run, for the structure of our polity is such that people on all rungs of government have satisfied their conscience one way or the other that graft and bribery are the only* way they can make a decent living.
Most of our governments have been dismissed on corruption charges but no one has yet been punished for being corrupt. Corruption has become a way life and acquired a new meaning and respectability in Pakistan. Today, corruption originating from the top has permeated all strata and classes right to vendors and milkmen.

Why isn’t Pakistan able to choose the right leader?

Education is the foundation of any society. Education helps people to make the correct decisions but a country where the literacy rate is very low, how can people choose the right leader? Though the literacy rate is increasing but if we take into account the whole population (the people who will vote specifically), the number of educated people are in a small proportion.
Change is not a one or two year process so to vote for the right leader the people need to have a long term vision. They must be able to analyze and evaluate what the leader can do and what is his potential. But the problem is that the people don’t even know, would they be able to hold on to their jobs the next month or not, then how can they have long term planning. The common man can choose his leader but the question is whether he himself is capable of choosing a person who will be the president of Pakistan or not.
The problem is that people are not able to plan their future and neither are they able to judge a person. The basic is reason is again education. An educated person will just not believe in a political party’s marketing strategy. They will have a clearer idea of what is not true and that the political parties are promising just to market themselves and get votes. On the other hand the probability of the uneducated lot being fooled at the hands of politicians would be greater and this is what has been happening in Pakistan.
Another reason why people are not able to choose the right leader is the stubborn and rigid mindsets of people. Most of the people are still supporting parties which they were supporting ten years ago just because they are not able to digest a new person ruling the country, hence they don’t vote for a new person and are not able to welcome a change. The current government has simply created a menace but just since it is Mr. Bhutto’s party, people are supporting it, when the original leader himself does not exist anymore.
One of the most important reasons why people are not able to choose the right leader is lack of interest. The people of Pakistan have now become indifferent because of the damage the leaders have done to the country in the past years. This indifferent attitude is a result of mistrust in the leaders. People don’t seem to trust the leaders anymore and so the numbers of people who cast a vote are reducing.
The difference between the upper and the lower class is increasing. The upper class is able to live a king’s life, so they don’t care as to who the leader is. On the other hand, the lower class seems to think that they will remain where they are and nothing is going to change for them. The people left behind are those who represent the middle class. It is the middle class of any country which show keen interest in who they will choose to rule the country. But the problem is that the middle class is shrinking day by day and people are slipping from the middle class to the lower class.
To conclude the people of Pakistan are not able to choose the right leader because of lack education, rigid mindsets, the increasing disparity between rich and poor, the performance of leaders in the past years and the economic circumstances.

Inequalities Lessens the Unity

Pakistanis are not equally well off. There has been persistent growth in income inequalities. Our is the land of very rich and very poor people a great majority of the people, living at or below the poverty line, are extremely concerned about the presence of these difference. It was until late sixties when the less affluent people of the society used to accept their fate in silent submission. On the contrary, the present day picture shows desperation among the poor classes and a lot of hatred between different groups of the society. The poor people no longer simply accept the status quo, with all of its wide economic disparities among different classes. As a result there is considerable friction all around. If the things continue to go in the same fashion, we may see further widening of disparities among the different classes of the society through gaining more alliance by the rich and losing purchasing power by the poor at ever increasing rates. This is likely to further give rise to corrupt practices, crimes, restlessness and resentment.

5 Awesome Things About Don 2


After almost 5 long years, the much-awaited sequel to the 2006 hit Don is finally set to hit theaters this Christmas. Bollywood fans went crazy over the release of the first teaser and excitement is clearly building for the action-thriller, Don 2: The Chase Continues. So, why are fans so excited? Here are 5 awesome things about Don 2.

5. It’s a sequel that actually deserves a sequel. Though it was a remake, Don still left viewers with a twisted and completely unexpected ending – and one which actually warrants a sequel. The fact that Don actually got away completely baffled viewers and left many questions to be answered. Where did Don go? How will Roma seek revenge? Only a Don 2 would be able to answer these questions.

4. The action. In just one short teaser we see multiple vehicles blow up, car chases, and SRK flying down the side of the building. One can only imagine what more there is in store!

3. The “Junglee Billis.” Priyanka Chopra is all set to reprise her role as Roma, while Lara Dutta has been roped in for another leading role. With these sexy sirens in the movie, viewers are surely in for a treat that will undoubtedly include action, romance, and plain girl power.

2. The style. In 2006, Don presented us with a modern style never before seen in Bollywood and Don 2 will be no different. Judging from the recent trailer, Don 2 will be just as sleek as its predecessor with especially chic costuming, music, special effects, and the German locales.

1. Shah Rukh Khan. Need we say more? Shah Rukh Khan brings an impeccable style to the character of Don and shows us a cruelly attractive type of evil. From his flawless dialogue delivery to his dashing looks Shah Rukh not only owns his character, but owns the movie itself. And, since King Khan will reportedly be donning a six-pack in this movie, we can look past that long hair!

With less than a month to go until the release, we’ve already discovered so much awesome in the film.

Child labour - Why do we fund it


Child labour has been a cause which most of the world turns a blind eye to, although it is well documented, the fact of the matter that there are still over 250 million child workers currently working in the world today shows the problem is at its peaks and no significant solution is being negotiated between the G8 world leaders. China being the top offender of child labour has openly publicised the positives of child workers to Chinese companies in order to gross a higher turn over, a move which was not publicly criticised by any world leader to date in the worry of upsetting their relations, a move which was heavily protested around the world. Asia has an estimated 153 million child workers currently in manual labour trades in conditions which have been described as "uninhabitable and life threatening", contributing to 61%, child workers are forced to work from an age as early as 3, and are paid in a year what the inequivalent job in a MEDC country could pay an adult for an hour at minimum wage.
Although most child workers are forced into trades by the greed and debt of their parents, some however is a case of life or death, Africa for example, with over 80 million child workers, 88% of those work to stay alive with the bare minimum essentials being priced out to the poor by the rich , which brings the argument back to the global poverty issue and its domino effect. Although the worlds child labour offence is looked down upon, we as people do nothing to counter act and stop the demand, as in most more economical developed countries, products which are being sold for a fraction of the price are products which are made in such countries as China where there is no fair trade policy, yet consumers continue to fund the cause of child labour indirectly, as when the argument comes to cost over morals, there is usually only one out come in this ever increasing selfish world.
Therefore i ask, when will this world realise the solution not only for the child labour crimes but most world causes is not to donate money and forget about the situation but to change morale views of society, as in the end, there would be no child labour if we did not purchase what they were manufacturing.

Terrorism! Time to Get Rid of It

By: Maha khizar

At present, our country and security forces are facing suicide attacks, bomb blasts, sectarian violence and targeted-killings coupled with intermittent battles with the militants.

Besides civilian casualties, more than three thousand military soldiers and police men have become martyrs in war against terrorism, while maintaining the integrity of the federation.

It is on record that Pakistan is the only country which has sacrificed more than NATO and USA including other countries in war against terrorism. At this critical juncture, when our country has continuously been facing political instability, economic crisis and social strife, the question, how to fight terrorism in Pakistan needs special attention.

Terrorism in Pakistan took origin owing to various inter-related problems such as poverty, political and economic injustices which created regional disparities. In wake of these problems, after 9/11 tragedy, Islamabad joined American war on terror as the country had no other option as Pakistan was also facing hostile factor of India.

As regards Pakistan, terrorism can be fought on two fronts? By eliminating poverty and by using force where necessity arises.

Regarding poverty, political experts agree that poverty is the root cause of terrorism. And it is said that “a hunger man is an angry man.” Notably, majority of people in Pakistan are living below poverty line, and have no clean drinking water. While especially for the youngsters, unemployment has made the matter worse. In these adverse circumstances, some people go to the level of extremism and even commit suicide. These are the people whose services are hired by the terrorist groups and foreign secret agencies such as Indian RAW, American CIA and Israeli Mossad as they become vulnerable to terrorism.

It is of particular attention that Pakistan’s tribal areas have become focus of terrorism as their people are more vulnerable to extremism. Hence, joint efforts of the government as well as the moderates are needed so as to fight terrorism. But billions of dollars are required to develop these under-developed regions. In this context, although America has pledged to spend money for the development of Pakistan’s tribal areas, yet the same is not enough. So the US and other western countries must give maximum aid which could be used in the tribal regions for providing infrastructure, education and employment.

It is mentionable that there are two types of terrorists, extremists and moderates. In order to cope with terrorism, our government should neuteralise the moderate terrorists through reconciliation by offering them general pardon and asking them to renounce terrorism. Even extremist insurgents can be offered mediation. Nevertheless, those militants who reject the offer could be fought through military operations.

Military paradigm is another element to fight terrorism. In this respect, Pakistan’s armed forces have already broken the backbone of the Taliban militants through successful military operations which have been conducted in Buner, Dir, Swat and South Waziristan. These operations still keep ongoing in some tribal areas. In this context, it is worth-mentioning that public support to military operations is very essential, and without people’s backing no army can win this ‘different war’ against terrorism.

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Another notable point is that most of the Taliban militants have been destabilizing Pakistan with the help of external elements. In this connection, secret agencies like CIA, RAW and Mossad are well-established in Afghanistan from where; their secret agents have been regularly supplying arms and money to the militants including their other Pakistani agents with a view to weakening Pakistan which is the only nuclear country in the Islamic World. They have been using various covert tactics in conducting suicide attacks, targeted killings and inciting sectarian violence in Pakistan in general and Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa in particular. They also support separatism in Balochistan where similar sort of violence continues unabated. In this connection, first of all US must itself abandon the double game which it has been playing with Islamabad. Then Washington must pressurize India including Israel to wind up their anti-Pakistan terror-network from Afghanistan.

In order to fight terrorism, Pakistan’s media should play a key role. It must point out the criminal activities of the militants like hostage-taking, killing of the innocent people? torching the government buildings including girl schools and car-snatching. It should also indicate that Islam is a religion of peace and does not allow suicide attacks.

As Pakistan is already facing various crises of grave nature in wake of terrorism, so our politicians must stop manipulating the same for their own self-interests. By setting aside their differences and by showing power of tolerance, both our rulers and opposition parties need to act upon a policy of national reconciliation to cope with the problem of terrorism and to stand before external pressure. In this respect, all the opposition parties must participate in the round table conference, called by the president of Pakistan.

Finally, our politicians, general masses and security forces must show a strong sense of unity to fight terrorism.

Our frustrated Pakistani youth

The future of Pakistan and the people who would take Pakistan further ahead in the development and progress in all field is none other than our “Youth”.

The challenges our Youth is facing is higher cost of studies, joblessness, no career counselling, no guidance from elders to how to survive as their elders are busy in making money to ensure bright future of their kids. The prevailing situation of un-certainity and disrespect for the people who are not considered as the members of Semi rich or elite class has pushed alot of youngsters to flee from country in search of jobs and further education with long term plans to get settled abroad where they get more respect despite their status of a third rate citizen. And above all, the justice system is far better than what we have got here.

Being a young energetic man or a women, every one has certain goals in life which he or she pursues in life. The hopelessness and frustration builds up when equal opportunities in education and then in the job hunt are not being offered to them. This results in loosing able men and women who could have been the key to our success as a nation in the long run.
We have made education a profitable business, those who could afford to study from IBA, LUMS, GIK, AGHA KHAN UNIVERSITY, QAU etc are more likely to end up having good jobs always up their sleeves. On the other hand more talented and promising people which have studied from slightly lower rating institute struggle to get a good start.
Our government has lost focus on the development and prosperity of our youth and thus giving the Nation a major set back by creating a major short fall of talented people. Now the irony of the situation is that even we have quite a few talented people in the field, a new tend has started which is to hire foreign consultants to come and do our job at a much higher cost and equally good local talent is ignored. There are very few job consultation agencies in Pakistan who could keep a track of the best people in the field and get them organised and offer them the best available possibilities. The ones already working charge very high services fees which can go up to one complete salary and or at times even more than that. Good jobs are always given at references and through by passing the normal hiring procedure which again deprives of the real talent on laying their hands on a a reasonable job. If we carefully analyze the situation, we would find a lot of mis-fits and non professional people sitting at key positions in various governmental organizations and NGOs and thus giving a slower growth rate to such organizations.
Its a dilemma and point of concern for all of us that our youth not all of them but majority of it is looking for short cuts in life as they have seen people making their life style turning in to a high class living in the matter of months through earning by un fair means. Have a look at the government expenditure on Education sector and their own spending on visits abroad and maintaining hifi protocol. A person’s worth is no more in his Character, education and family back ground, its all about having enough money in the bank whether earned with honesty or by hook or crook.Media has to play its vital role our core issues these days are education, health, joblessness, poverty and National security, we are least concerned whether actress Meera is married or not, whether Musharaf is hanged or left alone, whether President stays in power or not, what are the new trends in high street fashion market, what are the new innovations in technology and so on. We as a Pakistani Nation want our basic rights and right of having equal opportunities is one of the important issues.


- Tazeen Hamid

We're all doing the best We can!!

I'm sometimes amazed and embarrassed by how critical I can be - both of other people and of myself. Even though I both teach and practice the power of appreciation (as well as acceptance, compassion, and more) when I find myself feeling scared, threatened, or insecure (which happens more often than I'd like it to), I notice that I can be quite judgmental. Sadly, as I've learned throughout my life, being critical and judgmental never works, feels good, or leads me to what I truly want in my relationships and in my life. Can you relate to this?

I've recently been challenged by a few situations and relationships that have triggered an intense critical response - both towards myself and some of the people around me. As I've been noticing this, working through it, and looking for alternative ways to respond, I'm reminded of something I heard a friend of mine say on a number of years ago. She said, "It's important to remember that people are always doing the best they can, including you."

The power of this statement resonated with me deeply when I heard it and continues to have an impact on me to this day. And, although I sometimes forget this, when I do remember that we're all doing the best we can given whatever tools and resources we have, and the circumstances and situations we're experiencing, it usually calms me down and creates a sense of empathy and compassion for the people I'm dealing with and for myself.

Unfortunately, too often we take things personally that aren't, look for what's wrong, and critically judge the people around us and ourselves, instead of bringing a sense of love, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and appreciation to the most important (and often most challenging) situations and relationships in our lives.

When we take a step back and remember that most of the time people aren't "out to get us," purposefully doing things to upset or annoy us, or consciously trying to make mistakes, disappoint us, or create difficulty (they're simply doing the best they can and what they think makes the most sense) - we can save ourselves from unnecessary overreactions and stress. And, when we're able to have this same awareness and compassion in how we relate to ourselves, we can dramatically alter our lives and relationships in a positive way.

Zainab Mansoor

Section I

Imran Khan- The change we need?

At the height of his cricket glory days, Imran Khan would visualise winning – standing on the podium, cup held aloft – and propelling Pakistan to victory. That Sunday, on the 30th of October,, standing before a sea of supporters in Lahore, he had a similar epiphany about his political career.
As I stood there, watching all those people around me, I knew the moment had come.
Whether the former cricket captain can translate his promises into reality is hotly debated. Yet we all know that that rally sent shockwaves across Pakistan's political system.
Over 100,000 people were crammed there. Many were middle-class Pakistanis – young, urban, educated – drawn by Khan's rhetoric and their anger at conventional politics.
That was the emergence of a new force. The cry for change was resonating across Pakistan. Young, old, professionals, women – I've never seen such people at a public meeting in Pakistan before. But many people are still sceptical that Khan represents real change. They say they have heard this rhetoric many times before. They are cautious about it. They don't know what agenda he is really promoting.
For years, Imran Khan has campaigned on a platform of what some call "anti-politics" Now, he says, he has been proved right.
His plan for the economy is to "inspire" Pakistanis to pay tax – currently only 2% do so. In power, Khan said, he would cut off American aid. "I want to be a friend of the Americans, not their lackey. Aid is a curse for a poor country; it stops you making the required reforms and props up crooks."
But perhaps most alarmingly for Pakistan's western allies – and some Pakistanis – Khan says he would negotiate with instead of fighting the Taliban militants who have been bombing Pakistani cities.
His political views are firmly rooted in a particular view of Islam. He does not favour changes to the notorious blasphemy law – a virulent debate that led to the assassination of his friend Salman Taseer. He thinks that the time is not right, and that there would be bloodshed. He feels that we need to worry about other things.
And he is careful to direct his barbs away from the powerful military, which controls relations with India, the US and the fight against the Taliban. Although Khan enthusiastically criticises [former president Pervez] Musharraf, who is now in exile, he has little criticism of the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani.
Khan enjoys a reputation for probity, having set up a cancer hospital in honour of his mother, who died of the disease. He also has a flash of glamour. A famous Pakistani pop band, Strings, opened his rally rally; supporters include his former wife, Jemima Khan, who attended a recent press conference in Islamabad to protest at CIA-led drone strikes in the tribal belt.
For some Pakistanis, Khan simply represents a protest against a moribund political system. "He's a bit of an idiot," said an architect from Lahore. "But he's better than the rest. I would vote for him."
To achieve his dream of becoming prime minister, Khan needs to convert his newfound popularity into seats in parliament (he has none, having boycotted the 2008 poll). To do so, he may have to recruit the same "corrupt" politicians to achieve a majority.
And time is short. Pakistan's next election is set for February 2013 at the latest, although a snap election is a possibility.
His party remains weak, he has few candidates and, crucially, many of his supporters have never voted before. Whether they will now is perhaps the biggest unknown in Pakistani politics today.


 Danish Azeem

 
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