PCB considering legal action against tabloid

They say some never understand and there is a fair amount of truth to it. But let us not hesitate in appreciating the doggedness with which PCB is hell bent on following the SUN newspaper and its allegations about spot fixing in third ODI of Pak-England series. Ejaz Butt had to do a lot of face saving afetr he accused ICC and ECB of trying to defame Pakistan's cricket, he is again ready to plunge after getting a clearance from ICC. This time PCB is considering legal action again the newspaper who tried to play the role of "whistle blower". Well, for SUN, it will not be a new story as they fought a bitter case against another Pakistani cricketer, Imran Khan, and lost. Let us see what happens this time if the legal wranglings start. The detailed news is given below....
PCB considering legal action against tabloid

Major Geoffrey Langlands gets honored from his motherland at last

Remembering the often ignored Pakistanis at the start of this week, first with Agha Hassan Abedi and now with Major Geoffrey Langlands, we continue with offer efforts to bring hope in often hopeless scenarios being painted around us...

Mr. Geoffrey Langlands

Geoffrey Langlands was a young man fond of studies but IInd world war threw him right in the middle of the action and he was posted in the part of India which now makes Pakistan in 1944. He fell in a sort of charm with this land and stayed back after war. Stayed back even when British left subcontinent at the time of independence/partition in 1947. Even when most of his countrymen were leaving for England or opting for better prospects in India, he decided to live amongst us.

And he stayed all through this time...he stayed like a loyal patriotic Pakistani imparting quality knowledge to young minds of Pakistani students at various schools of repute such as Aitchison College. He taught to several of Pakistani bright minds who were destined to write a few chapters in our national history down the road. Even after retirement from Aitchison College, he not only stayed but went to head a cadet college in Razmak, Waziristan. After that, he thought of a novel way to contribute towards Pakistan. He went to one of the most difficult areas of Pakistan, Chitral and opened a school of such high quality that became an envy of several established ones "Langlands School and College".

Langlands School

His life has not been easy though. He was kidnapped by tribesmen, advised by one ruler to go back to England, lost his dear ones and suffered heart stroke. But he is staying put. At 93, he is still running his college. He is no doubt looking for a replacement so that he may lead a retired life but who can blame him at the age of 93. He has done much more than 3 people of his caliber might have done combined. But unless and until, he finds a suitable replacement, he is not giving up. A true embodiment to our great Quaid's words "work, work and work"

Soon his achievements will be celebrated with a reception at the British High Commission in Islamabad, including a presentation to mark his elevation to Companion of the Order of St Michael and St. George in the overseas honors list this year. None deserved it more than him.

We salute you sir Geoffrey Langlands for your continuous and devoted commitment to our nation and knowledge. We are a better nation because of you. We hope you find an appropriate replacement for yourself very soon though it is very difficult to find someone of matching commitment and devotion.Your retirement home in Aitchison College awaits you and we pray for your long life, beautiful memories and continuous achievements.

Pakistan’s forgotten hero – Agha Hasan Abedi

Guest article by Samir Anwar Butt

Agha was one of the finest minds the country has ever produced, an exemplary patriot and a legendary banker. In the mess that exists today, the youth of Pakistan desperately needs inspiring personalities to look up to. I cannot think of a better person to quote. He proved that politics is not the only form of service to the nation. He suffered various scandals towards the end of his life, but none can deny his contributions towards building a stronger Pakistan. It is a shame we let our youth forget a man like Agha Hasan Abedi.

Thousands graduate every year from FAST National University and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute. Only a handful of those proud degree holders know who laid the foundations of these prestigious institutes. It was one man’s vision that delivered tremendously to Pakistan’s development.

Agha started his banking career from Habib Bank in the late 1940’s and enjoyed instant promotions. He went on to join the United Bank Ltd (UBL) in 1959 and shot through the ranks again. Under his leadership, UBL changed the banking culture in Pakistan and it became the second largest bank in the country. But this is just a small highlight of his résumé.

When banks in Pakistan were nationalized in 1972, Agha went on to start the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). He persuaded the Arabs to invest into this bank, which turned into one of the largest banks in the world, spreading its influence through offices in 72 countries around the world. It employed some 16, 000 people and Agha made sure that a majority of the employees were Pakistani nationals. Such was his spirit towards his homeland. Over 80% of the top executives of the bank were Pakistani. BCCI’s influence went beyond everyone’s expectations. It became a big player throughout the world and was expanding at a great pace, making BCCI a dominant force worldwide. Hence, it was decided that it was time for the BCCI to go. BCCI was accused of funding Pakistan’s nuclear program, Palestinian fighters, money launder and various other charges. Agha became a wanted man internationally. Pakistan’s government gave him full protection and refused to hand him over. Agha was maligned in the international media and the bank was alleged to have links with international intelligence agencies. It was blurred in all the mystery and torn apart.

The focus of this article is to bring Agha Sahabs contributions to Pakistan in the limelight. His contribution is of such magnitude that it is safe to say he shaped the modern Pakistan. Pakistan’s banking industry is often considered extremely competent. Most emerging banks in the Middle East are using expertise from Pakistan to set up their banking and financial sectors. If we dig to the roots of this accomplishment, it was Agha Hasan who deserves all the credit. BCCI trained thousands of Pakistanis to become successful banking professionals. The stable structure and modern infrastructure of banking in Pakistan comes from Agha.

Agha was a visionary. He introduced computer science in Pakistan when few knew what it meant. He donated Rs. 100 million to form the BCCI Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) in 1980 to promote computer science in Pakistan. The year 2000 saw this foundation create FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Pakistan’s premier multi-campus university with campuses in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Moreover, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) was also a brainchild of the same man. Both these schools have produced tons of scientists and engineers that are contributing heavily towards Pakistan’s economy.

Agha was a businessman, who genuinely believed that an individual’s goal should be to help the poor. His great achievements can be proved by the fact that his philanthropic activities are bearing fruits even today, well over a decade after his death. Yet, most of the information about him on the Internet projects him as a corrupt banker only. His contributions towards Pakistan are often overlooked and ignored.

Washington Post against Pak Media, America against Extra Judicial killings, New political storms

The government seems gloating over its two new victories. The government got a very favorable ruling from Supreme Court of Pakistan (although, I doubt it had anything to do with capability of lawyers hired by government and more to do with able judiciary take due cognizance of existing state of affairs). Secondly, during strategic dialogue, government functionaries and army officials were treated with a rare treat in the form of brief meeting with President of USA, Barack Obama (I fear some of the delegates are not going to wash their hands for long lest the American charm might wash away...lolz no pun intended)Today, in our last blog for this week we present you with not just one but three emerging scenarios.

So, a wake up call is needed for fools like me who have a tendency to feel elated over such trivial matters. So, the three emerging news of interest, I shall briefly summarize:

Caution Needed

1. The Washington Post  has come up with a very scathing attack on Pakistani media. Seems like shenanigans of media are finally driving its ardent supporters away. The post was particularly critical of role played by Jang group of newspapers and GEO television. I am quite afraid that media through its over the top coverage of SC proceedings on Thursday has further marginalized itself. I think, a real soul searching by media is critically needed. You can read the detailed report on following URL:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/21/AR2010102106159.html

 

2. Despite all the euphoria over strategic dialogue, America has reportedly denied several facilities to some units of Pakistan army which are reportedly involved in extra judicial killings in Swat and Waziristan agencies. I guess it is one of the most severe rebuke to the only organized institution of Pakistan (whetehr we like it or not) and reminds me of several reports that I read about the military operation undertaken against then east Pakistan (now Bangldesh). It is very important for us in Pakistan and also in Army (in my humble opinion) to take this matter quite seriously. Otherwise, I guess, the forced bent upon undermining the sovereignty of Pakistan are agin out to achieve their goals. These acts, if actually committed are highly deplorable and should be investigated and punished in the strictest professional manner. The detailed news can be read at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101022/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_pakistan_aid;_ylt=AntP.y3hjSwbRwE77p1K7tqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNkMXNoaXJvBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMDIyL3VzX3VzX3Bha2lzdGFuX2FpZARjY29kZQNyYW5kb20EY3BvcwMxBHBvcwMyBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawN1c2hhbHRzYWlkdG8-

3. Indians are at it again. According to Times of India, America has once again asked to know details of Sino-Pak nuclear arrangements and I guess this cat is not going to get back into its bag that easily. In the coming days, pressure is going to be more intense and perhaps, we may see a flurry of events in this regard as well....The news reports can be read at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-asks-for-Pak-China-nuke-arrangement-details/articleshow/6792300.cms

So a very happy weekend to all of you and you may be blessed in everything about your life.

Ray Ozzie Chief Software Architect departs from Microsoft

The departure of Ray Ozzie was long anticipated. The timing is curious enough for me though...He is a software engineer of great talent and foresight. Before joining Microsoft, Ray has two notable products to his credit. One, Lotus Notes which was purchased by IBM somewhere around 1995. It has a lot of following even now yet its true potential was never realized. Second was Groove, which was purchased by Microsoft along with Ray himself. Groove was later assimilated in MS Sharepoint technology which was released to users of later versions of MS Office (such as office 2007). Ray has been with microsoft since 2005.

Are they gonna miss you?

Yet, interesting for me is the way, Ozzie is being hotly debated in the technology circles. He has a fair share of devotees and hostiles amongs the community so it is not uncommon to see swords being drawn in favor or against him. For me his departure from microsoft presents two gloomy scenarios for future:
1. Ray Ozzie has been a great proponent of cloud computing and has been predicting the ultimate rise of cloud computing for a very long time. In fact Sharepoint always had a strong group of people in Microsoft devoted fanatically to the idea of cloud computing. As a consequence, Microsoft under his vision has delivered a fairly impressive portfolio of cloud-based offerings. On the consumer side, Microsoft now has a full range of Windows Live services, and it’s done an impressive job of moving Exchange and SharePoint to hosted services that aren’t just for enterprises anymore. Yet, all these achievements cant gloss over the stark failure that Ray had due to his lack of vision. And today, with his departure, the future of cloud based applications from Microsoft is also in doubt.
2. The knowledge of software architecture and its relevance has also been thrown into question. With the emergent phenomenon of end user programming and cloud, the question has been present there for a very long time whether, organizations need actual software architects anymore? Today more and more services are lacking any integral underlying architecture and instead are becoming more and more capable of evolving themselves according to user's demands.With the departure of Ray from Microsoft and no replacement being announced in his seat, it seems like Microsoft has answered in affirmative regarding software architecture becoming gradually obsolete. A sad tale of affairs indeed.

Books to Read on this weekend: A hundred Years of Solitude and Udaas Naslein

Today was a blank day...with nothing to do and so much on mind, I finally have decided to dedicate the remaining days of this week to book reading...and the books I am going to revisit this week are "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez and "Udaas Naslein" by Abdullah Hussain. I read both of these books about a decade ago and the effect that both of these had on me still fascinates me. I am in no position to write any kind of review on any of these master pieces. Suffice to say is my suggestion to go grab acopy of both and enjoy your weekend.

Update: Dawn News; Younis Khan returns to national squad

DAWN.COM | Cricket | Younis Khan meets Ijaz Butt, returns to national squad

Breaking News: Younis Khan expected to make a comeback as soon as UAE tour

Pakistan never ceases to surprise. Now PCB has apparrantly though of calling Younis Khan out of wilderness and into the main squad as early as UAE tour. As the news report emerging notably from Cricinfo, PCB has resolved its differences and after a lengthy meeting between Younis and Ejaz Butt, all matters have been settled.

While thanking heaven for settling of these "matters", the manner of settling is still quite questionable to me. Is it so that a person as capable as former skipper will be out of squad and then suddenly into the squad only due to not holding/holding of on meeting with PCB chairman? I believed Pakistan was a nation of 20th century and aristocracy was a matter of past. Seems like I was wrong once again. Detailed news report as given by cricinfo is following:

"The long-running battle between Younis Khan and the Pakistan board has finally been resolved, after a meeting between the former captain and Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman. Younis has, according to board officials, been cleared and is expected to return to the side, possibly as soon as the series against South Africa in the UAE later this month.

Board officials familiar with the meeting told ESPNcricinfo that the meeting took place on Wednesday morning and that all outstanding issues were resolved amicably. A resolution had been probable since the board sent a letter to Younis asking him to meet the chairman. Younis responded positively, telling reporters in Lahore he was keen to meet and play again for Pakistan.

Younis' return could be hastened by the pullout from the ODI squad of Mohammad Yousuf. Yousuf has not been training over the last two days at the camp at Gaddafi Stadium and has a grade 2 abductor muscle tear. Mohsin Khan, the chief selector, is expected to make an announcement related to this at 4pm PST."

Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari: An obituary

President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari: May 29, 1940-October 20, 2010

There are a thousand ways of looking at any politician who has lived in this wilderness for so long as did Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari. Former president of Pakistan, Former PPP stalwart, one of the most competent civil servants of Pakistan, a shrewd and thinking politician, an excellent orator and a companion in of Late Benazir Bhutto in the time of trial of Zia regime are a few hallmarks of his illustrious political career. This is not to say that he was an example of everything that embodied good. He had his share of weaknesses. He was mainly responsible for the downfall of second government of Late Benazir Bhutto which he orchestrated along with military, judiciary and elements of opposition. He was also found along the side of another military regime under General Pervez Musharraf and supported that regime with all his might. A very powerful feudal lord who is often accused of blocking the path of education and better living for those dwelling under his control. So Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari was a man of thousand colors and here at second perspective But we are second perspective and we don't follow the traditional line. That's why, today, we shall remember him for those colors which made him and Pakistan proud...a president who practiced austerity, a man who could present Pakistan's case with such a masterly skill of oratory that everyone was forced to take notice, a man who defied military for 11 years and who was one of the closest to erstwhile democratic workers such as Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan...May your soul be blessed Mr. President.

Shock of 2010: Apple's profit surges 70 percent

The recession is not over yet...the rows of unemployed are ever increasing...Yellow notes (as they are commonly referred to forms of unemployment) are piling up. Yet strangely technology firms are faring better and better. First the GOOGLE announced its results, then came the profits announcements from IBM Corp. and now Apple's profits are announced to surge by a whopping whopping 70% reaching around 24 billion dollars. Seems like technology firms are not only making smart products but also making smart business moves. With Google moving into automobiles, IBM discarding PC operations and Apple focusing more on IPhone and giving less to ITablet, the product orientation is also changing. And above all, the predictions by STEVE JOBS about Android Products being DOA...Dead on Arrival....The future is exciting for technology wars folks...enjoy the read at:

Apple's profit surges 70 percent, topping IBM's results | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas Business News

ICET 2010: October 18-19, FAST-NU, Islamabad

IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies 2010 (ICET 2010) is being held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 18-19, 2010. The conference is being organized by FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES) under the umbrella of IEEE Islamabad chapter. The papers published in the conference proceedings will be searchable through IEEE Xplore ®.

IEEE ICET 2010 conference is the 6th of its series, being held every year. ICET is an advanced technical conference, covering various disciplines under IEEE’s domain. The conference aims to have research presentations by researchers from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. It also includes a series of tutorials by domain experts enabling participants to learn about the latest trends in various technologies.

Software Engineering Institute: The place that gave us CMM and CMMI has new program director

Anita Carleton

The Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI) recently named Anita Carleton director of its Software Engineering Process Management (SEPM) Program. As director of the SEPM Program, Carleton will oversee the SEI's software process and measurement initiatives, which include the internationally recognized Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) framework, which helps organizations increase the maturity of their processes to improve long-term business performance, and the Team Software Process (TSP), a software engineering method designed to yield high-quality software and high-performance teams. The link given below:

Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute Names New Program Director

Missing people of Pakistan: An explosive coverage by Guernica Magazine on its celebration of 6 years of serious publishing

"Missing People of Pakistan" is a story of pain and agony that caused several heads to roll, a government to be nearly toppled, a whole supreme court of a nation to be held hostage and a whole new breed to terrorism to emerge on the false pretext of revenge. And yet, those around whom the story was spun, never returned home.

Cuba

There were different hues and colors of these missing people...Rebels craving for their rights from Baluchistan, Journalists and free minds from fiercely independent PakhtunKhawah, God fearing but absolutely sociable youth from Punjab, Human rights activists and trade unionists from Sindh...they came in all colors. But all of them had two things in common...a desire to be free and a hate for imperialism (whether in the hands of dictator, USA or Taliban)...And this caused their disappearance. No'one knows who took them away...Taliban, America or our own capable intelligence agencies.

and Pakistan

The missing people will haunt forever. Many of us might well be familiar with "Ladies in White" of Cuba who are protesting for their missing ones since early 70. I believe as long as the conscience of Pakistani nation is alive, we shall also keep protesting for "our missing people". It is better for all concerned to take heed and get the whole nation out of this agony... The report is at the following link

http://www.guernicamag.com/features/2096/garcia_10_15_10/

Update on Plot to Assasinate PM of Pakistan

The BBC report has given a new twist to all of this tale by claiming that accused were the same people involved in the bombing of ISI Headquarters in Multan district situated in southern Punjab region on 8th of December 2009 killing several and injuring dozens. The whole news coverage is on this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2010/10/101014_terrorists_arrested_as.shtml

A video clip of that deadly attack is given here:

Breaking News: Plot to assasinate Prime Minister of Pakistan Revealed

Prime Minister of Pakistan

Seems like today is a day of surprises. CNN has been reporting for a while now that an attempt to assassinate the prime minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has been nabbed (thanks god for that) and several people have been taken into custody in this regard. The full news coverage is on the following link....

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/pakistan.plot/

Given below is the complete coverage:

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Several people have been seized in a plot to kill Pakistan's prime minister, and the suspects claim they were getting orders from a militant in the country's volatile tribal region, police said.
Police official Babar Bakhat Qureshi told CNN that officers arrested several suspects who were plotting to attack the compound of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Shabir Anwar, Gilani's press secretary, had no comment on the alleged plot because it is a security matter.
The plot to strike the compound, located in the Punjab provincial city of Multan, was in its "final planning stages," Qureshi said. The location is about 395 kilometers, or 245 miles, southeast of the nation's capital, Islamabad.
The suspects were planning to use a car bomb for the attack, and that they had acquired large amounts of fertilizer to manufacture an improvised explosive device, since confiscated by police, he said.
A vehicle for the attack had not been acquired yet.
The police confiscated one kilogram of gold and and two and a half kilograms of silver, which the men were going to sell to fund the plot, the official said.
Qureshi said the suspects have confessed that they were getting their orders and instructions from Kari Imram, a leader of a Taliban offshoot group from Miran Shah in North Waziristan. Drone strikes said to be conducted by the United States have targeted militants in North Waziristan, one of seven of the county's tribal districts.

The arrests were made after police stopped three suspects traveling on two motorcycles near Multan in the town of Ahmed Pur Sharkia on a check during a police patrol. Questioning led police to other suspects.

The "Game Changer" ; Pakistan: The New Great Game: China, Iran, Russia, Central Asia

Guernica is a highly respectable journal of strategic studies currently in its sixth year of publication with potentially "unbiased" and non-emotional reporting. In its recent issues, two major pieces have appeared which deal with Pakistan. Today is the first piece for you to read. Please follow the link given below to read full article. We, here in Pakistan, have come to see our foreign policy as the most rudderless, vision-less and pathetic piece of crap (not in my eyes) with a total submission to American interests. In this piece however, while describing the new great game, which is all about oil and gas for the monstrously bulging China, a new picture emerges of Pakistan, "The Game Changer" and how it is operating under such stressful times of earthquakes, floods, internal and external wars to maintain its sovereignty and finally bring something good for its people.

Europe is history...Japan is Past...This is where we have a new start

I have always believed that we are a nation of great potential, talent, geography and certain amount of vision (and a sense to preserve ourselves as Pakistanis). True, we are plagued with corruption, poor management, illiteracy and poverty but who else is not? What we have is what America had a few hundred years back or Israel has today...A passion to be recognized and honored...Despite our ills, if we keep this urge alive, try to improve upon our strengths, reduce our malaise such as corruption and believe in democracy as system which slowly but surely empowers masses thereby weeding out what is bad....we may one day be the new power to reckon...Only us have what it took many other great nations to become great...Courage, Vision and Strategy
I was talking to a good friend of mine the other day and we hit upon a strange note...He said and I quote "We were always small and poor...Yet it was us to whom USA has always turned for help in all past 60 years, even till now...yet it is us to whom china turned when its survival was at stake....yet it was us to whom Russia turned when it needed an honorable exit...and yet it is us to whom every nation in the world turns when in crisis whether it be Iran, Saudia, Great Britain or even Israel". Why us if we are really that miserable, corrupt, poor piece of land with no potential? It is time to leave despondency and hopelessness and believe in ourselves...aptly called "The Game Changer"

Guernica / Pepe Escobar: China’s Pipelineistan “War”: Anteing Up, Betting, and Bluffing in the New Great Game

This was all that is about good in us...Tomorrow's blog entry, again from Guernica is about a sad aspect of our daily lives, The "Missing People of Pakistan"...Keep reading

Two beathtaking windows in Past: Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and S B John

Was going through some of my archived files and found these two treasures...One is a gift shared by Fatima Bhutto...A long forgotten piece of treasure...A very beautiful picture of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto addressing employees of a textile mill..The crowd forced him to come out of adress hall and speak to them in open...Just look at the charisma of the man...

Thanx to Fatima Bhutto for Sharing this

And second is a song by S B John...a long forgotten voice of melodious 50s of Pakistan...So Enjoy

Younis Khan: a selection scandal

Younis Khan: a selection scandal
by Kamran Abbasi
Amid the regrets, withdrawals, and reversals that pour forth from the orifice of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), one policy remains constant: Younis Khan is barred from selection for the national team. The facts are simple and as ever, they paint a dismal picture for the Chairman of the PCB. Younis is available for selection, yet the selectors are unable to select him. He has no case to answer following the ridiculous ban imposed upon him by the PCB but his case is still open.
The question is why? And the answer is simple: Mr Butt has a shifting policy on apologies. The players banned, barred, or suspended following the disastrous tour of Australia have eased their path back into the team with a well-timed apology to Mr Butt. What they were apologising for, nobody was clear. Why they then apologised is only for their consciences to answer. Mohammad Yousuf's equally well-timed retirement helped him bypass any action from the PCB and obviate the need for an apology.
Yousuf, aside, Mr Butt is big on people apologising to him. When the boot is on the other foot, however, his love of an apology vanishes in a flash. Mr Butt's recent slander of the ECB and it's cricket team was followed by a show of defiance that an apology would not follow. For once, he was true to his word. His carefully-worded, legally-crafted retraction did not contain the word 'apology'. It contained intonations of regret, withdrawal, and misunderstanding but no apology in sight.
Indeed, why stop at the ECB? Mr Butt owes some hefty apologies to Pakistan cricket supporters for the destruction of Pakistan cricket. You see, for a man so reluctant to offer any kind of apology for his own misdeeds, it is the cruelest of ironies that he is demanding an apology, a personal one, from Younis, before he allows Mohsin Khan to select him.
What that apology is for, nobody is quite sure? If Mr Butt wants to tell us, we'd be delighted to hear, but I suspect that silence speaks volumes about the lack of gravity of Mr Butt's charge. Younis, for his part is clear and always has been: Why apologise when you have nothing to apologise for?
And thereby hangs the tale of the predicament and the tragedy of Pakistan cricket, that there is no room for a man of principle in the Pakistan cricket team.
Younis has had his fair share of detractors. Mr Butt, of course. Many of the players were unhappy with him and swore an oath against his captaincy. When Pakistan were struggling against Australia this summer, I was reliably informed that 'The Boys' would welcome back Yousuf but they would not want Younis back in the team. The events of the past few weeks, however, have cast all those objections to Younis in a very different light.
Many gruesome disasters have befallen Pakistan cricket in the past 18 months. But perhaps one of the most serious, and easily forgotten among the tidal wave of calamaties, is how the chairman of the national cricket board is killing the career of a World Cup-winning captain. This is a selection scandal that requires an apology - even regret or retraction - from Mr Butt and his hopeless cricket board. Younis Khan owes Mr Butt nothing, least of all an apology.

Breaking news: Misbah ul Haq is Pakistan's new test captain

Hail the captain

You can always expect wonders happening in Pakistan...Misbah had a dismal performance...was dropped...has been out of squad...make a comeback and wow wow wow...he is our new captain and will lead our GLORIOUS team against minnows South Africa as Cricinfo reports...yes you heared it right...It is not Yousuf, It is not Younas...It is our very own, very talented "Misbah Ul Haq", the new test captain of Pakistan Cricket Team...What a shame...Fearing to watch some mince making of Pakistan Cricket Team on the grounds of Dubai and Abu Dhabbi

Breaking myths: Pakistanis are not a nation of quitters

The video fails to mention few names...people like Dr. Abdussalam, Dr. Saleem-u- Zaman Siddiqui, our heroic engineers, scientists whose classified work will always be shrouded in the mystery...people like Alamgir, Ahmad Rishdi, Qavi Khan, Sadeqain, Gul Gee and their struggles in the field of art...BUT the message is loud and clear...we are backward, poor, perhaps a little lost too...Yet our spirit thrives and no one can ever conquer of struggle to earn respect for ourselves and our homeland...In the end...what matters is that we lived and gave so much to this world to be proud of within a span of mere 63 years what other nations couldn't even imagine in their centuries...AND we shall keep delivering

Sad about the result of Intelligence Squared Debate

I watched Intelligence Squared debate with keen interest on Bloomberg Television last night and the results were disappointing for me and countless like mine. It will be unfair not to acknowledge the flair and force of opposing team. It will also be unfair to say that the discussion was biased in any manner. What the discussion had for me??? Well...for one it clearly showed how ruthlessly our religion has been hijacked by that small minority who claim that nothing except war (I won't sully the respectable name of "Jihad" for this war of petty personal interests) can address the grievances of Muslim world and who are even ready to shed innocent Muslim and non-Muslim blood for their objectives.Secondly, the debate broke my illusion that our current lot of scholars can answer the questions in international community and particularly their people. Because of reckless attitude of some amongst us and very crafty planning of those who want to defame the name of our great religion, world is not ready to listen to our logic and arguments. This again made me realize that we need to change our direction and bring the true picture of religion before the world through our actions. Islam, the religion of peace, needs not change...We the muslims need to change and revert back to our glorious traditions of tolerance, harmony and co-existence...
A very fruitful debate for me with sad results in the end though....

ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE | Intelligence Squared US

ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE | Intelligence Squared US
Be part of this great debate on Intelligence Squared (ABC) with Majid Nawaz and Zeba Khan for the motion while Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Douglas Murray Against it...October 6th 2010

Breaking news: PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt on the way out????

on his way out?

 The news must have come about 2 years ago but we Pakistanis are habitually late whether it is arriving at wedding functions or arriving at correct decisions. Anyways, I am hearing news from various sources that say either (1) Ijaz Butt is has been kicked out from sources such as Kamran Abbasi on his twitter and ARY 806 UK transmissions or (2) is about to resign as being reported by NDTV India....Any confirmations???