Archive for May, 2009
Poem: Under our National Flag
11Arms erect, legs straight, ready to attack;
Carrying tons of obligations at their backs;
To meet them all, staying devout to core;
This is our ARMY—and such are the people
Under our national flag; (more…)
Captain Bilal Zafar Shaheed
163
“Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah. And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyr’s) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.”
Al-Quran (3: 169-170)
Captain Bilal Zafar, a commando of the Pakistan army SSG (the world’s best elite force), embraced martyrdom on the 17th of May, 2009 – fighting terrorists and militants in the embattled valley of Swat.
He always used to say “Bullets can’t harm me”, and thus it proved true. He was hit on the arm by a bullet but he carried on until he was hit by an RPG (Rocket propelled grenade) where he embraced martyrdom on the spot.
His last message has been circulated widely on print and electronic media. This is what he had to say:
“In the volleys of fire…in the thunder of bombs, there are a few who just do not stop…knowing that they are surrounded by death…knowing that they could leave their wives widows and children orphans…but they just keep on moving because something is pumping in their hearts…and flowing through their veins known as honour, devotion and motivation…death over surrender…that is why they say death before disgrace…Pakistan Army Zindabad”.
We Salute your courage, Sir! This sacrifice of your’s for this nation will never be forgotten. At least not by us: the people of Pakistan. Let this martyrdom also dispel the notion that the army lacks any motivation to defeat these extremist militants, it is obvious that their spirits are very high.
We stand by you! Long Live Pakistan!
Photograph courtesy: CaptainBilalShaheed.Com
Irony
3The pictures presented in this post are ironic to say the least. Probably the very reason why we have’nt progressed as a nation.
What you see is a small, torn, Pakistani flag presenting a painful picture to any patriotic Pakistani in Karachi. The national flag is under the flags of three different political parties.
Click on the images below for a full-size view.
Do I need to say any more?
Report: Humanitarian Crisis in Pakistan
6I’ve compiled a report on the humanitarian crisis that Pakistan faces today. The report has been published at “Global Voices Online“, a community of more than 200 bloggers around the world who work together to bring you translations and reports from blogs and citizen media everywhere, with emphasis on voices that are not ordinarily heard in international mainstream media.
The report highlights how the Pakistani Blogosphere has reacted to the crisis and gives you an in-sight to cyber activism in Pakistan.
Pakistan has been hit by a severe humanitarian crisis as a result of the military onslaught against the Taliban insurgency. The valley of Swat is in Pakistan’s Malakand division, a beautiful valley often dubbed as another heaven on planet earth. It used to be a prominent tourist resort before it was struck by militancy and extremism of the local Taliban.
It is being reported that over one million (some reports even suggest that figure stands at near 2 million) people have fled their homes from various areas in the Malakand division and FATA including Buner, Dir and Swat. These “Internally Displaced People” (IDPs) are seeking refuge in other areas of Pakistan. Temporary camps have been established in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) where registered IDPs are provided food and shelter.
The crisis is huge. The problems seem impossible to overcome. But Pakistan as a nation has always proved its resilience and unity in testing times. In this regard, a massive relief effort has been launched by many organizations and individuals. The Pakistani Blogosphere is also taking a leading role to provide relief to our Pakistani brothers and sisters in distress.
Read the Full Report at: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/05/21/pakistan-a-humanitarian-crisis/
IDP’s Calling – Anyone for Relief efforts?
6Last year, when a calamity hit Balochistan, we responded with FAST Relief. A well coordinated effort of us students at FAST Karachi. We raised quite a lot of money and made sure every penny of it was spent for the right purpose. We focused on medical aid and bought important medicine for daily use.
Now we have another humanitarian crisis knocking our door, that of the internally displaced persons (IDP’s). People who are leaving their villages and home-towns to avoid the military offiensive against Taliban militants. Are we ready to respond to this call? Will another FAST Relief rise in our absence, now that we have almost graduated?
Do we have people here to answer this call? Can we stand up, as responsible members of the society and do something again from Karachi and launch a well coordinated effort and provide some relief to the IDP’s?
Let us help the Pakistan Army restore peace to our Northern Areas. Let us stand together as a nation and prove that nobody is stronger than us.



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