I Condemn Zamir Akram

(Originally published in Express Tribune -Pakistani daily newspaper- on July 2 2011)

In 2003, Brazil brought the case for homosexual rights on the United Nations table, only to be derailed at the lat minute by the Muslim and African countries.

Instead, amendments were introduced for removal of any reference to discrimination based on sexual orientation.

My country, Pakistan was the captain of Team Homophobe .It distributed a memo to the member states declaring that the approval of the recommendation would be “a direct insult to 1.2 billion Muslims around the world.”

This year, thanks to three abstentions, China being absent, Libya’s suspension, and the efforts of South Africa to table to resolution again, it was approved. This is the first time UN has officially condemned homophobia and commissioned a study into the plight of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, so that they may be reviewed and discussed later on in Geneva.

But then what? How long will China be absent? How long will Libya remain suspended?

Ironically the states which sat there, disapprovingly eyeing the resolution, are the ones with the worst human rights violations- be it freedom of expression, religious minority rights or any other democratic principle for the essential working of a modern and open society.

Who are they to vote on “fundamental” human rights when their own record reeks with violations?

Frankly, it seems like a joke to allow these countries to cast a vote on human rights.

I am here to inform the world and Zamir Akram, Pakistan’s envoy to UN, that homosexuals do exist in Pakistan and that we demand our rights to love people of our own gender or even change our gender when we feel necessary to do so.

It is our body- the state and the ordinary mullah on the street, must keep out of our beds.

We, the Pakistani queer people and our straight alliances, disapprove of the statement by Mr Akram that the resolution has nothing whatsoever to do with “fundamental human rights”.

Quite the contrary, LGBT rights are as much of incontrovertible human rights as the rights of women and religious minority. It’s only the rampant homophobia of the aggressively heterosexist society which has come to believe and make us believe otherwise. It is the fundamental right of homosexual, bisexual or transgender man (or a woman) to love, to marry, to form a family, and to work without discrimination in a workplace of his choice and be unapologetic.

It might seem like an elite concern to heterosexuals but this is a basic right to those demanding the right to love.

As a Pakistani, I condemn the words of Zamir Akram and stand as a proof that there are many in Pakistan who dream of an egalitarian and gay-friendly nation here.

Some rights are “fundamental” and need to be defended against the face of notoriety and odds. Queer rights are one of them. Full stop. Nothing to be apologetic about it.

Muslim and African countries must be pushed, by the international community, to give into gay rights, just as we would want to push them greater application of women’s rights and freedom of expression (or any other human right for that matter).

Finally! We are On FaceBook!

I am exremely happy to announce the fact that finally I hav created a Pakistan LGBTIQ(Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transsexual,Intersex andQuestioning People's) Movement FaceBook group to show the homophobes strength of Pakistani Queer society as well as to assist the Queer Cause in a country like Pakistan and to help in spreading the 'Gay Consciousness' to those who are not so happy with their sexualities.
Please join and spread the word as each and every member's suuport counts.
Thanks
Nuwas Manto

From ''Islamic'' To ''People's'' Republic of Pakistan?

Recently I came across this news in many newpapers that Pakistan's three important political parties,PPP(Pakistan People's Party,which heads the present state government),MQM(Mutahida Qaumi Movement,which has control over the province of Sindh) and ANP(Awami National Party wich governs the province NWFP),gave a though to he fact that Pakistan's full name be changed from Islamic Republic Of Pakistan to Peoples Republic of Pakistan.It has been stated that ANP made the first move and brough the suggestion to table which both PPP and MQM supported,although later ANP's Haji Adeel denied having proposed the name Peoples Republic of Pakistan. But it was confirmed by some anonymous sources tha it was ANP which proposed it all.
Now,first of all I doubt if country's name will be changed,because one thing President Zaradari has taught us is that his words are not Quran and Hadith,so i depends on his political agenda and mood.Secondly even if the government will ever decide to change the name,it would have to put against an immense amount of anti-Government attitude and movements,especially by Mullahs and their new convert Mr.Imran Khan.This government,much to my dismay,has not proven itself that strong.
Thirdly it will make the government infamous(as if it i already is not!).Is Zardari government ready for that???
I believe rather than just changing he name the government must secularize the constitution as well.
But then all this is only going to affect the upper middle class and elite class...not the working class,which wants roti,kapra aur makan(bread,cloth,shelter) and more recently also Cheeni,Atta,CNG aur Bijli (Sugar,Flour,CNG and Electricity).
Any government which has the provided these and brought about economic and political stability can rule over the hearts and then go on to secularize the nation....but Zardari government is toally off the track and so there will be backlash and mess if they just change name and not the circumstances,of the nation.And of course will harm the ideology of secularism further by the religious morally self-righteous Mullahs who would then label every other Liberal and Secularist a staunch supporter of Zardarism. Most of the ANP(A secular party) in a conservative NWFP voed for ANP in hope that now if religious parties have failed to bring them basic human needs of life,a Secular party just migh do it,only to their ire and dismay.

My Thoughts On Karachi Stampede Tragedy

Ramadan holds a special place in the hearts of muslims all over the world as its not only a month of piety and fasting but also charity thus affirming their belief in Islam as a way of life.
But this Monday,atleast 18(and according to some reports even 20)women and children died in a stampede in the area of Khori garden,in Karachi,a populous city,of 15 million,of Pakistan.
'18 Women, Girls Killed in Karachi Stampede' reads the CBS News website.But this headline alone would not do much to make us understand what happened there.These 18 women and children were not only 'women and children'.They were someone's wives,daughter,mothers,sisters,squashed under the feet of fellow human beings,all in a race to get the coupons to get the freely distributed flour before the distributors ran out of it.
The God for whom these women and children fasted,Himself,killed them.No.I wont blame God alone.'We' killed them.'We' brought them to one of the most macabre ends that,I for one,cannot even imagine.Who are 'we'? We,the elite class of Pakistan,which just cant get enough of shaking their booties on satureday nights at dance parties,where there are served Pina Coladas and extra large Cheese Burgers.We the rich(even if not famous)who seem to be oblivious to the common man's hunger.We who just cant think of any other bag than that of Gucci or Chanel to match with our red Saris at our sisters' extravagant weddings,while more than half the fathers of this country worry about their daughters' dowries .I have nothing against red saris,extravagant weddings,Gucci and Chanel or Pina Coladas and Cheese Burgers,nor anything against satureday night parties.But I find it repugnant that amidst such poverty,illiteracy and loathesome tragedies such as that at Karachi Stampede at Khori Garden,the richer gets richer and the poorer gets poorer.
What happened at Khori Garden is just one of the myriad forms of the same reality:Pakistan has turned into one of the best examples of class-based unequal societies.Going through the pages of 'Sunday' magazine of the Daily Times,one really cant imagine that this country would be filled up with so desperate people that right after the stampede at Karachi,women still came to Chaudhary Iftikhar's shop,seeking the flour to fill their and their families' empty stomachs.
The story of the victims of this stampede is the story of more than half the population of this nation.M.A Jinnah would definitely be turning in his grave,as this would not have ever been the nation he hoped to find,where the selected and previliged few hold the key to money and power(and of course Flour),while most of the common people get fits and depressions thinking how another day would pass.Actually they stopped worrying much now,because they have become accustomed to the fact that they have to do their 'Iftari' with salt,and nans and yogurt,while the fashionistas arrange iftar parties at Pearl Continental.But who am I to speak all this?I myself am an accomplice in this elitist game,albeit a contrite one perhaps.Again:I hold nothing against Iftar parties but the least we can do is to give the same amount of charity to the destitute ones,that would cost us the Pearl Continental Iftaar dinners.But no.The moment we see beggar outside our car windows we turn around our faces and pretend to speak to eachother,telling the poor ones clearly to just get lost.To get over our feeling of guilt at this inhumanity of ours,we have disgustingly,coated our guilt with excuses such as:'We shouldnt give the hatta katta(healthy) beggars money,they can earn themselves'.Of Course they can! And some of them might as well do,but they didnt know your enjoinment was to be sought,you the ones who cant move the lazy arse from their sofas.
Once,many years ago,I saw our female servant at a wedding.This woman worked for us,as well as many other homes.But still she was there to earn extra money,and you might as well label her a beggar for she was doing beggary to some extent.I have always wondered why she did that when she was working for atleast four houses down the street.And today I know the answer.Greed.Insatiable desire.Want.
No.Not the greed that you and I understand it.This greed is driven by the force of motherhood to earn more for ones children.This insatiable desire of a mother is not the one for fame or Gucci bags,but for the food to feed the hungry stomachs of her children.This want is not of a Pearl Continental iftaar party,but for another day's hunger to die.Its 'we' who are greedy with wants and insatiable desires.These women who died were not greedy.They were mad.Mad with thoughts of 'what if he flour stock ends before we reach the top of the stairs'.Mad with the thoughts of 'what if we return home empty handed?'.
Reportedly the women at Khori Garden incident were to go up the stairs,and get the flour.The same stairs were being used to let these women come down.In a rush to get up first,those who fell,fell in to the hands of death(or more appropriately,under the feet of other women),and those who made it perhaps have to live with the guilt of somehow contributing to death of these women for the rest of their lives.But still they got the flour to feed crying children.O Hunger! How inhmane you can turn us.
Quite amazingly,the Police arrested Chaudhary Iftikhar who was responsible for the distribution of free flour.Apparently he was arrested because he failed to notify the city administration of him arranging the distribution of the ration.So now that we have no Israel,no America,no India to blame for this internal tragedy of our nation,we are to arrest the few ones who have some humanity in them left to provide free flour to poor and needy.I do agree that city administartion should have been notified about this all taking place.But then nobody imagined in their wildest dreams that the women would run amok.What made them do run like as if they were being chased after by mad cows,we all know:Hunger.But I wonder why city administration has never taken such initiatives,which Chaudhary Iftikhar took,even when they needed no notifications of poor and hungry in the big city of Karachi,and the need to help them out before they are starved to death by the rising prices of everything they can imagine to eat(from sugar,to flour,to meat,to vegetables),except perhaps for their own crap.
Although I am non-religious,even if I were a believer I would refuse to believe that these people belonging to this poverty-stricken section of our society have any obligatry need to fast.They fast everyday,Ramadan or No Ramadan.Its us,the ones who come up with shameless excuses to drive away the 'Hatta Katta' beggars and who complain of feeling the hunger during the fast.But still we refuse to question our coscience as to why these 'Hatta Kattas' would be willing to degrade themselves(I donot think beggers have left much self-respect after they beg to the Mercedes driving rich people).
Ramadan is an Islamic custom for Muslims because it shows them what it feels like to be hungary and to be without food for only twelve hours,leave alone,the case of sometimes going without food for two or three days.Yet this practise has become a mechanical process for many Muslims:Eat Sehri,fast twelve hours,and do Iftaar.
Another of my memories:My mother used to walk in a park nearby our house and there she met this young girl who use to walk with her round the park track.I have no idea as how she looked or anything else but this is what all has been narrated to me and my siblings by my mother(and I see no apparent reason why she would come up with a far-fetched story,except if she were a pathological liar,which she clearly is not).Once through some talk my mother asked this young lady what she cooked in her iftaari.Firstly she enumerated a whole list of delicious items but afterwards conceded that she and her family were so poor that they were doing their iftaars with eating salt.My mother eventually gave her a thousand rupees to help her.That was as much as five years or more from today.And today we have much worse conditions.
There are NGOs and Individuals who are helping out the ones in need of financial aid and food.But they are only helping out.We need a bigger change.A social and political turnover to change this whole system in interest of the rich elite and in the disadvantage of those who struggle to keep their lives together.Initiatives such the 'Grameen Bank' need to be taken in any country struggling with poverty,major class inequality and illiteracy.Until then I fail to see how we can prevent the incidents such as Karachi stampede tragedy from ever happening again.If such stampedes dont occur,hunger,metal depressions and poverty would kill the destitute ones anyway.Apart from that 'we' the elite class need to come together and think of some projects to overcome these social evils in our societies.'We' need to help 'Them' to help 'Us All'.

Why I Am Still Not On Seventh Sky

I have been told that I have not been paying close attention towards the Pakistani Civil society,even though I am part of it.I am a Pakistani,born,raised and living in Pakistan.I have never denied that Pakistani society is worried about Taliban and a portion,maybe a large one,is working towards peacefully eradicate extremism from our country.However,Pakistani civil society is doing today what it should have done the first day it heard about the peace agreement between the government and the Taliban.At that time,I heard one of the TV News anchor remark,at the end of the report concerning the peace agreement, that what a wonderful achievement it was.As an editorial in The Friday Times put it:''Ultimately,this 'free media' drummed up support for all the dangerous peace deals between the Taliban and army or government,especially the last one in Swat on February 28,and enabled the Taliban to exploit the political space and public support to seize large areas of the Frontier''.Many defended the peace agreement,saying that now atleast Swat's poor people could go to work safely.Never mind their children are going to be taught how to blow up a church and much more importantly a synagogue.Never mind their women are going to be forced to wear a hijab.Forced to stay inside the four wall of their 21st Century harem.But you see,it all doesnt matter because atleast they are going to be fed.
And now Pakistani media is furious.Because it has been threatened.Suddenly Taliban are those who shall not be named.If Chand Bibi's video of being flogged at the hands of morally righteous had not surfaced,if Sufi Muhammad would not have been stupid enough to declare Democracy,Parliament,Supreme Court and all the liberal elements as 'un-Islamic',if the media had not been threatened,who knows we might have been complascent with the wise decision of our leaders.Now that the things have gone out of hand,Pakistanis have started to unite together.Not that I am complaining.Its never too late.But human lives are precious.And when those were being either lost or oppressed,there were few(such a political party of MQM,and liberals) who were disgusted by the notion of two forms of government in the same state:a state within a state it was to be.But the liberals were dubbed as being inhumane.An idea was generated to shut up the concerned citizens and to make them think that it was all good and well in Swat.Although it was right to question the mobile generated video of Chand Bibi's flogging,to think that women were not going to be flogged at the hands of Taliban was a foolish idea.Those who believed in it have learnt noting from the Afghan-Taliban history.
On their part,if Taliban believe they will successfully subdue the Lahoris,Karachites,and Islambandis,they are insane.Although Pakistan is not a Secular state,as envisioned by Jinnah,its not an extremist one either.Karachi is pseudo-Secular,Lahore and Islamabad liberal,varying in degrees when it comes to their liberalism.But who knows,Taliban just might succeed.
Why?Because although almost every Pakistani is appalled by Talibanized version of Shariah,most are not ready to stand up.What if Taliban shoot them out.When I told my mother I wanted to attend the peace rally,at first I was told that even if I thought about it she'll break my legs(because at first she thought the rally would be like those of concerning the restoration of Chief Justice and the supremacy of rule of law).Then I was allowed to attend but warned that its going to be my first and last.And that too I got to attend after a hell lot of humiliation at my mother's hand.So,not many people are ready to be a part of this whole job of getting the Taliban out of this land.They loathe Taliban,but loathe untimely death more,not knowing that once Talibanized,their lives will be lost,most probably,anyway.
I am really happy that Pakistanis are united.But this unity is limited,or atleast that is my perception of our society.Our people are not standing up as they should.Where is Aasma Jehangir(the great Human Rights advocate)?After the first peace rally atleast I didnt see her anywhere,even on television.What about our lawyers who fought for restoration of rule of law?Most probably they are interetsed in banning the songs of Naseebo Laal,which are considered immoral(while Akon's song 'I Wanna Fuck You' gets away with it).That passion is just not there in the amount that I desire to see.Although it exists,it is limited to a few thousand individuals and NGOs who have the guts to come out on street.But middle-classis just not concerned much.I know they have to feed their families.But if they dont help take a stand against Ttaliban now,children will a past in their lives.Even the amount of work that we are doing right now should have been done long ago,when it first surfaced that the Athenian intellectuals and Spartan barbarians are going to shake hands with eachother.

Good News From Pakistan Civil Society's Side.

I guess I have been ranting about how Pakistani civil society is not standing up to the Taliban and the threat they pose to the existence of Pakistan.Well!Good News,everyone!
I guess Pakistani society has finally started to act now.On Friday,8th of May 2009,we had a peace rally at Liberty round about in Lahore,where various NGOs and individuals came together to tell Sufi Muhmmad and Mullah Omer,the Taliban leaders,that Pakistanis are so not going to back down and act like docile bitches and dogs.Such rallies are also good for they give a chance to the poor and uneducated to interact with NGOs working for a myriad of causes.Hearing slogans like 'Islam is a religion fo Peace' and 'Sufi Muhammad Go! Go!' help spread the message among the unpreviliged,who can turn out to be worst victims of mis-interpretation of a religion due to lack of knowledge and education about human rights,to be the next jihadis or abortion clinic bombing Christian fanatics.
But still,we need more rallies like these to show support for the people of Swat Valley,Buner and Dir as well as Malakand.
Another good news from the Pakistani side is that president Zardari has asked the military for a complete sweep out of extremism.Now I have some hopes.

World Press Freedom Day and The Awakened Consciousness of Pakistani Journalists

One of the worst mistakes that Taliban have done so far is to threat free media of Pakistan.Although,Pakistani media has a long way to go before it truly calls itself 'free',it has made it clear to anyone that its so not going to shut up and sit down while the whole country is being gradually usurped by the good Muslims,Taliban.Taliban,probably overjoyed by their victory over the reluctance of President Zardari to sign the peace agreement between Pakistani government and them(thanks to the Awani National Party for threatening to leave the assembly if the agreement was not signed.This is a Secular Party of Pakistan-Can anyone believe it?),forgot that Pakistanis are not an easy target to prey.Sending pamphlets,warning the media of dire consequences it they dont shut up their mouths and drop their pens,is not going to help them,as they have seen for themselves.On World Press Freedom Day took out a rally and vowed not to bow down to the pressure and inhumanity of Taliban.
I have,every then and now,voiced my opinions concerning the need for Pakistani civil society to pull up its socks and push for an anti-Talibanization,government and movement.I am happy to see that people have starting to take initiatives against the Taliban.However,I still would like to see a much more resistant population come up,since right now we need to shout and scream against Taliban,not talk against them.
I just dont want that by the time my country realizes it needs to stand up for those oppressed in Buner and Swat,and even Malakand area,its too late.That is the least thing anyone wants to hear.Right now we need a united movement against Taliban.And that is to be headed by someone highly influential.My hopes were tied to the stole of Aasma Jehangir,but perhaps her stole has been burnt by the government,or else Taliban.
Talibanization is not today's problem.It has existed for a long time,starting right after the anti-Communist war of U.S against U.S.S.R,in Afghanistan.In their jubilation,the Americans forgot to relocate Mujahideen,the holy warriors,whom it had herself poured into the Afghan region.Therefore,Taliban are neither Muslim nor Islamic innovation,but those of global super power.What was the only mistake of Pakistan was to recognize Talibanized state of Afghanistan,making it one of the three only countires in the world to do so.
Now we and Americans are reaping what we had sown.But then again,America gets away with it,just like everything.Nobody is blaming America,but only Afghan-Pak region,the ones who followed American orders.
But coming back to the topic of Taliban and free society.Who do you think should lead a resistance movement against Taliban?

Pakistan Media Going Silent Over The Swat Issue

Pakistani media is in a strong grip of fear of Taleban.Meher Bukhari,a spectacular and courageous Talk Show host, recieved death threats just because she had guts to speak out against the inhumanity of Taleban.Today another Talk Show host,Nadia Jameel,invited two people from the fashion fraternity as guests on show.One thing lead to another and the guests started to heavily speak out against Taleban activity and even Saudi Arab,for we all are aware of the Wahabbism(a strict form of Islam)that has been exported to Pakistan from there,through the Saudi funded Madrassahs.
Khwaja Rafiq,a politician,while the two guests on Nadia Jameel's show(Jaago Dunya) were speking against Taleban,called in and criticised them for criticising Taleban.We all know why he would do so.The government,while endorsing freedom of expression,doesntwant the the world to take any action which might anger Taleban.What has really angered me is that our media,which has for quite some time,has been ranting about free media,is either totally silent or becomes silent about the issues,after the death threats,concerning Swat.I do understand that Taleban pose a great threat to Pakistan's existence and we are nobodys,which makes us more vulnerable to their attacks and threats.But if we are to keep quite,who will speak for the oppressed?Who will speak about the women's inhumane treatment?Who will criticize barbaric laws?
Aasma Jehangir has faded from the scene,after just one peace rally.I saw a PML(N),Pakistan Muslim League(N) Party,member tell the host of one of shows concerning Swat, that this what the people of Swat want.If democracy means the 'rule of people',then why are we trying to take to take away the rule of people and fight against what they have chosen? I will tell you why.Because women are inhumanely treated.Because Taleban have killed the voices of dissent.Rehman Baba's shrine was bombed by the student of one of the Saudi funded Madrassahs because according to them it was 'un-Islamic' to visit the shrines of Saints.Although it happened before the peace agreement,it will surely happen in future,because today Sufi Muhammad,from the Taleban section,has told the world that because Asif Zardari hasnt signed the agreement yet,while Taleban have,the agreement has been broken.Great.Now they,when they have spread the feart among the Swat's people,hey have openly gone against the government.This means that no they can forcibly make Swat's people act against the government.
The fact that I cant openly condemn Taleban activity without using a pseudonym is a testimony to the fact that if strict actions are not taken by the government against the Taleban,we will all have to,due to being forced,put on Hijabs,grow 8 inches long beards,wear shalwar above our ankles and stop listening to music,and the list goes on.
A few weeks backs I saw the cover of one of the issues of NewsWeek,which proclaimed Pakistan,and not Iraq,as the most dangerous country in the world.I felt unhappy and angry,thinking 'what do these whites know how the Secular Islamabad and Karachi are.What do they know how normal the life is here,and that its not wat they say in the Indian and Western press'.But unfortunately I have to concede this fact today,with a heavy heart,that even I have started to see my country as an Alien Land.Media's suppression,and its docile dehaviour towards the death threats of Taleban have deeply grieved and angered me.Is Pakistan really going to collapse within 6 months?If that is the case,where are our Human Rights Activists?Our Political Activists?Our lawyers,who brvaely fought for Iftikhar Choudhary?Are they not concerned about their sisters and brothers in Swat?Where is the justice they ever fought for?We are being told that atleast children are going to school.Atleast bussinesses have started.Atleast people have,relatively,move freely.Great!Settle for the lesser evil than the eradicating the evil altogether.Silly people these anti-Nizam-E-Adl people are.What do they know!So what if Chand Bibi has been lashed in front of so many people?! We will question the video of Chand Bibi's lashing much more critically than we have ever questioned our President Zardari's controversial decisions,and his trips abroad.We will wait till more Chand Bibis are lashed out ,and that too only if they are cuaght on videos,when being lashed.Otherwise we'll never concede that misogyny exists in Swat! We will wait till Taleban are well established in Karachi,Lahore,Islamabad.We will wait till Nizam-E-Adl is imposed on the whole of Pakistan.And then only we will think about taking any action.
You cant blame Pakistani media as well.Poor people have to feed their families and look after their own lives.Besides even if they die,its only going to make little difference,I guess.But I ask:Isnt there a single human being who has guts to speak against the system?Not from our wealthy elite class?Not from Pakistani expatriates living abroad?These people can afford more security than which was provided to Sri Lankan team.
What has really surprised me is that only some of the Karachites have spoken out against the Taleban.And Nadia Khan,another host,because she is far away from the stronghold of Taleban,in Dubai.
I do understand the less and less critique of Taleban.But we cant let history repeat Afghan tragedy in Pakistan.Before it goes too far(as if it already hasnt,huh?)We must take actions.But these actions cant come from the general public of middle and lower class,but from the elite ones.Its now or never.We either eradiate their ideology or they eradicate ours.