Notes in Anguish

The following is the largely correct story about three Brigs who resigned rather than ordering their troops to open fire on anti Bhutto protesters in Lahore in mid 1977. In late April 1977, Brig. Ashraf, who was commanding 2AK brigade in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, received orders by a signal message from GHQ, to move to… →

So far, the highest recent accomplishment of our high command has been to have successfully overthrown Imran Khan. To keep him overthrown, they fabricated 200 cases against him. The fear that all of these cases would come apart at the seams, drove them to deploy the Pakistan army against their own people; to undermine the rule… →

The Israelis have adopted “The Generals’ Plan” to deal with the Palestinians in North Gaza. Under this plan, all food water and medicinal aid entering this area has been blocked from Oct 1 onwards. This is to help starve and thus to drive out the Palestinians. Those who refuse to leave are to be killed… →

After months of fraudulent wheeling and dealing, the choice of a raft of gutter rats has fallen on Yahya Afridi to be the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. This means that Afridi is expected by those who selected him, whether he succeeds in falling to the level of Qazi Faez Isa or not, to fall… →

There appears to be a growing peeve among our generals with the people of Pakistan. They can’t understand why, when they greeted all previous military takeovers with applause, when it came the turn of the present lot to rule, these very people have turned nasty. They therefore believe that the people are being unfair to… →

Thinking over Sheikh Hasina’s recent ouster from power in Bangladesh, my mind has repeatedly nudged me to consider what role its army chief played in this. Apparently, he did a whole lot of good to his country merely by refraining from playing any role beyond just holding back, despite the fact that his wife and Hasina… →

It may not be readily apparent, but these two narcissistic siblings have a lot in common. Both are heartless and spiteful; each looks down on those around him and sincerely believes that he is the Lord’s gift to humanity. And both are heartily despised by most. Both are riding a tiger, fearful of dismounting it, mortally… →

In the year 2000, I was serving in the newly formed NAB. The cases I especially remember from that time were those against Mr Tiwana, ex-Chairman PIA, and Khawaja Asif, the gentleman who frequently stands up in parliament, puffs out his chest, and makes emphatic statements, often based on lies. Lt Col Obaidullah was given… →

PTI’s Lahore Jalsa was announced for Sep 21st. News that the very thought of this had angered Mariam Safdar no end, began to spread fast. By Sep 18 lists of the usual suspects began to be rolled out once again and arrests and abductions began to go into high gear. The high dudgeon of a… →

About 2350 years ago, the martial pride of Alexander the Great was expected to be tested by the defenders of the Sogdian Rock, the northernmost fortress of Bactria. But the Macedonian subdued it by a masterly stratagem. Yet he had been taken to the limits during his trial by arms against the Bactrians. In order to ensure… →

The energy and criminal efforts to destroy and bury the PTI, expended by the army high command and its pimps thugs and whores, are too many, varied, and well known to be listed here. However, the most significant event immediately preceding the PTI rally of Sep 8 deserves to be examined and scrutinized. PTI had… →

Before examining the possibility of redemption, it may serve to examine where the fall began, in as simple a set of words as possible. Imagine a large circle circumscribing our polity, or the entire population. Then imagine a much smaller circle within it to represent the privileged segment of society to which you and I belong.… →