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iyear 2008
MOOD STREET • Exhibition of Japanese handicrafts from Tuesday, Jan 6 to Saturday, Jan 17 at Alhamra Hall III, The Mall. The exhibition is part of The Japan-Pakistan Friendship Festival.
terrorism Lahore witnessed seven bomb blasts in 2008, killing more than 80 people and injuring over 350 people, from January 10 to December 24. The number of the bomb blasts is record as compared to the previous years. Importantly, no bomb blast occurred in Lahore in 2007. According to the press reports, overall, suicide bombings in 2008 surpassed the last year's figures, with 61 attacks killing at least 889 people and injuring 2,072.
Goodbye sight The last weeks of 2008 saw a great surge in the number of weddings in the city. This was mainly due to the advent of the Islamic month of Muharram. During this month the faithful mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and refrain from indulging in any type of festivity. The month of Safar that falls immediately after Muharram is also not considered suitable for holding marriage ceremonies. Therefore a large number of people schedule wedding ceremonies before Muharram to avoid a wait period that may extend to over 2 months in case they fail to do so. RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION year 2008 Rise of the people A new layer of activists emerged in the city By Ammar Ali Jan The year 2008 seems like a
rollercoaster ride as far as the political landscape of Pakistan is This tumultous year also saw political activity like never before. Lahore, with its central role in the Lawyers movement, became the vanguard of this new political consciousness. The lawyers community has been the focal point for most of the activism. However, the city also saw the advent of new vibrant student groups, radical trade unions, government employees, doctors and journalists who raised their voices against the forces of the status qou. It will be worth while to revisit the activities of this new layer of activists who desire to see a radical change in society. The lawyers movement has
been the centre of attention in Lahore's activist circles. The One of the most outstanding achievements this year has been the revival of student groups in Lahore. Once a centre of student resistance, politics had been delegitimised in Lahore by successive governments. The existing student groups were reduced to violent gangs without any regard for ideology. This trend was changed by the Student Action Committee (SAC) which gathered students around the cause of an independent judiciary. This group brought together students from various universities of Lahore and held regular protests against the military-led government. Students had to face arrests and regular threats by the government, all of which was new to this once depoliticised generation. Soon SAC had spread to campuses in Islamabad and it seemed the legendary passion of the generation of the 60s was making a slow comeback. The biggest achievement of this new student movement was its entry into Punjab University with the formation of the University Student Federation (USF). Since the late 70s, the establishment had handed over PU to the Jamiat which did everything in its capability to prevent the formation of another student group. The shameful treatment meted out to Imran Khan by the Jamiat and his subsequent handover to the authorities led to spontaneous anti-Jamiat protests throughout the university, something unheard of in thirty years. On numerous occasions, the IJT has tried to suppress the USF with the shooting of two USF students being the most recent one. However, the USF continues to increase in strength and has been joined by the Insaaf Student Federation and People's Student Federation in a struggle to win back the largest university of Pakistan. Trade Union activists were thrilled when Prime Minister Gillani announced an increase in minimum wage and a right to organise trade unions. This had been the main demand of the workers as the military dictatorship of General Musharraf had banned all trade union activity. The new government did announce these measures but the reality on the ground was far different. There were constant strikes in Thokar Niaz Beg, Kot Lakhpat and other working class areas for the implementation of the minimum wage announced by the PM. This became the most popular demand within the working class areas as most bosses still pay less than Rs. 6000 to their employees. The city also witnessed a complete strike by PTCL workers demanding an end to the process of privatisation started by the previous government. However, everytime the workers protested for their just demands, they were met by the brutal force of the State signifying that despite the advent of a democratic government, there is still a long way to go before working people can achieve a decent living standard. The government had also promised elections for student and trade unions but after almost a year no schedule has been given for it. Civil Society activists also took great interest in the political affairs of the country. The concerned citizens of Pakistan (CCP) brought together activists in Lahore from various backgrounds in order to push the cause of independence of the judiciary. Many other such groups came together to raise their voice for issues neglected by the government. One hopes that the active participation of civil society groups will keep a check on the government and will convey the feelings of the common man to those at the helm of affairs. The city also saw an increased radicalisation amongst the government employees who found it hard to make ends meet with their meagre incomes. Clerks, doctors, engineers and workers in many government departments were regularly on strike in Lahore. The new provincial government's decision to shut down some of the old departments without giving alternative sources of employment only added fuel to this fire. The year started with the expectation that the new ruling elite would be more concerned with the needs of the people than its predecessor. This had led to mass celebrations at its electoral victory. A year from that point, many are disillusioned at the betrayals following the epic struggle for democracy. At the same time, many are now convinced that change will have to come from below which is why it is essential to organise different sections of society without much influence from mainstream parties. Lahore has remained the centre of this radical shift in the political consciousness of the people with various radical groups formed in the city and periodical outbursts of anger by the masses. The formation of student and trade unions can provide the fodder that can direct this anger towards a popular movement. This movement might be small for now but the experience of the past two years shows that the people of Pakistan have the capability of resisting tyrannical governments no matter how influential its domestic or foreign supporters are. They have also shown their will to fight back the forces which continue to perpetuate and foster the status quo. The current conditions have set the foundations for a popular socio-political movement that could pose a radical challenge to the existing structures of State power. When the next round of struggle does appear, these groups in Lahore can play a vanguard role in this journey for social justice.
MOOD STREET I was sitting with my chin propped up in my palms,
cross-legged in my bed for last two hours "Yes. There is a spell against the progress of this young man," he announced. "When is your next chapter due?" he turned towards me. I said in a month. "How do you send it?" "By international express mail." "Just send this maid to let me know when you post it next time. I will send two of my most kamil (proactive) spirits with the mail and your chapter will be accepted." I nodded. We all left. On the way back, I was thinking about the ironies of the situation. My thesis was, in a nutshell, on the conflict between Western modernity and Oriental traditions and, here, my thesis itself had become embroiled in the mess of an esoteric tradition. I was still lucky that the pir sahib promised to send "two spirits" along with the express courier service and did not promise to deliver it through the spirits themselves. Of course, in due time, because of sheer perseverance, the first draft was approved and I was to submit a final bound copy. Between the first draft and the final draft, I got married. New life situations produced new delays as I was also teaching in a university in Lahore. This time my legal relatives got worried about the delay. A different pir was consulted. This pir was media-savvy and also appeared on a TV channel regularly. He asked them to bring me along and also bring a T-shirt regularly used by me. We arrived in a house in Johar Town. The old man spread the T-shirt on a table, measured its width at the chest and started reciting something. After he finished reciting, he measured the T-shirt again. In his way of measuring, the T-shirt had become two inches larger. He said, again in a grave tone, that indeed there was a spell but a mild one. A really dangerous spell can increase the chest size of the T-shirt up to seven inches. Then he gave detailed instructions for me to follow. I promised to follow the instructions and left. Divided between tradition and modernity, I typed away on the final draft and, occasionally, tried to follow the instructions of the pir sahib thinking about the sociological concept of "participatory observation." Towards the weeks leading to the submission of the final draft, I had become a living example of all the contradictions of the subject of my research: technological reason vs. metaphysical agency. It was time to finish. The social experiences that I could not analyse in the research were, in a certain way, outside the realm of bibliographies and footnotes and that is how they are to this day. There are no definite conclusions in life. Town Talk • Exhibition of Japanese handicrafts from Tuesday, Jan 6 to Saturday, Jan 17 at Alhamra Hall III, The Mall. The exhibition is part of The Japan-Pakistan Friendship Festival. • Polo Tournament on at LPC till next Sunday.
• Magadascar: Escape 2 Africa is showing at DHA. Daily two shows.
• Quantam of Solace showing at DHA. Daily at 8pm.
• 'Wordplay' by Usman Saeed is exhibiting at Ejaz Gallery. Opens at 10am everyday. Painting exhibiton at Alhamra Arts Gallery featuring works by Mehr Afroz, Noor Jehan Bilgrami, Ali Kazim, Shireen Kamran and Ubaid Syed.
• Quranic Calligraphy group exhibition at Croweaters Gallery. Jewellery exhibition at Hamail Art Galleries.
• Puppet Show at Alhamra, The Mall every Sunday at 11am.
• Talent Hunt Show (singing) every Saturday
• Panjabi Sangat is a weekly gathering every Friday and Sunday at Najam Hussain Sayed's house at 7pm where Punjabi classical poetry is readand sung. Blasts and insecurity Around 80 killed and over 350 people injured in seven bomb blasts in 2008 By Waqar Gillani Lahore witnessed seven
bomb blasts in 2008, killing more than 80 people and injuring over 350
A chronology of bomb blasts in Lahore: January 10: At least 30 people including 19 police personnel were killed in a suicide bomb blast at General Post Office Chowk near Lahore High Court. More than seventy people were injured in the explosion. The blast occurred just a few minutes before a scheduled rally of lawyers at The Mall. March 04: Two suicide bombers attacked Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore, killing five people and wounding 19. The incident occurred when classes were in progress. March 11: At least 30
people were killed and more than 200 sustained injuries in suicide blasts at
the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters on Temple Road and an
advertising agency office in 83-F Block Model Town. The blast severely
damaged the eight-storey FIA building and adjacent structures. The building
also housed the offices of a special US-trained unit created to counter
terrorism.
August 13: Suicide blast killed at least nine people and injured more than 35, targeting policemen standing guard on the eve of the Independence Day. The attack took place at Dubai Chowk, Allama Iqbal Town area at midnight. October 7: Three remote-controlled bombs exploded one after the other in three juice shops in Garhi Shahu injuring eight persons, including two children and a woman. The first bomb went off in Chhino Juice Corner near the Garhi Shahu Chowk, injuring two waiters, aged 12 and 14. The third bomb exploded after another 15 minutes in Dasco Juice Corner, injuring passers-by. November 22: At least three people, including a teenager, were injured in a series of three explosions near the Alhamra Cultural Complex in Lahore, where the international World Performing Arts Festival was in progress. Policemen were trying to locate the bombing site when another explosion occurred less than 15 minutes later, injuring two workers. According to the officials, the blast was an attempt to mar the ongoing festivity by extremist elements. December 24: A woman was killed and four persons injured when a car bomb went off in a high-security residential complex for government officials in GOR (Government Officers Residence II) near Mozang Chowk.
Table showing the number of blasts in Lahore in 2008. Date Place Number Number of Deaths of Injured Jan 10 GPO Chowk 30 80 Mar 04 Naval College 08 24 Mar 11 FIA building/Model Town 30 200 Aug 13 Dubai Chowk Iqbal Town 09 35 Oct 07 Garhi Shahu - 08 Nov 22 Alhamra Open Air Theater - 03 Dec 24 GOR II 01 06 Total - 78 356
Goodbye sight The last weeks of 2008
saw a great surge in the number of weddings in the city. This was It has been observed that this wedding frenzy leads to many problems for those arranging these weddings as well as for the citizens who are least concerned with these events. On these days poor commuters find it next to impossible to find out a route which is not blocked by wedding tents and parking areas set by the organisers. The same was the case this year and the scribe saw an ambulance stuck up in a traffic jam caused by a similar violation of municipal laws. Traffic jams do occur during routine days but this time round all the arteries that give safe exit to commuters are also studded with wedding tents. One wonders why the same administration that won accolades for carrying a successful crackdown against violators of one-dish ban failed to check this practice. If area SHOs could be suspended from service for failing to enforce the ban on lavish wedding parties in Lahore why could not they be held responsible for this violation? The father of a bridegroom was asked as to why had he got erected a huge tent on an extraordinarily busy road. His response was that what else could he do. Especially, when all the marriage halls and parks meant for this purpose were already booked. The reluctance of the government authorities to rent out public parks, according to this person, had aggravated the situation to a great extent. When asked whether he had sought permission from the concerned department to block the road he said he did not think it was necessary. "I am holding this function in front of my house. I pay regular tax to this government and have all the right in the world to use this road," was the response.
RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION 1. Aata short.
2. Electricity shutdown 3. Taps dry 4. Gas gone 5. Fuel short 6. Medicines short 7. Traffic jam 8. Encroachments 9. Pedestrians await footpaths 10. Public transportation To enlist by popular vote for next week, send in your emails on top ten "Top Ten places to take children for outing"
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concerned. The year started under the shadow of Benazir Bhutto's murder that
had sent the entire nation in a state of shock. This depression and
pessimism gave way to immense hope and excitement with the victory of
democratic parties in the February elections. The end of another dark
chapter of military rule was welcomed by the people of Pakistan with much
enthusiasm. However, the year is once again ending on a gloomy note with
increase in terrorism, war in tribal areas, the constant threat of war with
India, shortages of electricity and gas and an increase in poverty and price
hike. There seems to be a consensus that the elected government failed to
implement the agenda of change and those who took part in the struggle for
democracy feel let down by the new government.
lawyers have been consistently leading processions every Thursday for the
restoration of the deposed judges for the past year. Hundreds of people
joined the protesting lawyers in their weekly demonstrations on the Mall
road and this event became a regular meeting point for young political
activists. The peak of political consciousness in Lahore came with the
announcement of the Long March. Students, civil society activists, political
workers and many more spent a number of days preparing for this historic
event. It seemed like a gigantic task as the newly politicised younger
generation had never experienced anything as grand as this. When the caravan
arrived in Lahore on the 12th of June, activists in the city were ecstatic.
No one could have possibly imagined such a historic turn out with the city
of Lahore being the last resting point before leaving for the final
destination. When all of us set out for Islamabad, the atmosphere was so
Euphoric that one thought the lifeless palaces in Islamabad would instantly
fall. This partly explains why the movement fizzled out when nothing
tangible was achieved as a result of this incredible journey.
because the 4th chapter of my doctoral thesis was not going anywhere for
last six weeks and the supervisor was getting impatient in Australia while I
was in Pakistan. My mother got worried about my situation and thought some
relative had put a spell on me to hinder my progress in education. So she
talked to the part-time cleaning lady who seemed to be in touch with
everything in the universe. She took my mother to a medicine man or pir or
shaman where they both discussed the possibility of removing all the
invisible hindrance in my education. The pir sahib told them he needed to
see me to really figure out the invisible forces working against me. Next
day I went along with my mother and the maid to a dark house between GOR II
and Samanabad. The house smelled mildewed and sunless. Into the farthest
room we walked. The floor was without cement or tiles. A willowy, bony man
with sunken cheeks was sitting in the middle of the room with his eyes close
and a knife in front of him. He sat there motionless despite the noise of
our arrival. After a while, he opened his eyes and signalled us to sit on
the floor in front of him. The maid pointed towards me. He nodded as if he
understood the gravity of my epistemic concerns. Then he picked up the
knife, drew a circle with its tip in the ground, mumbled something and
plunged the knife in the dead centre of the circle. His face had become
stern. 
people, from January 10 to December 24. The number of the bomb blasts is
record as compared to the previous years. Importantly, no bomb blast
occurred in Lahore in 2007. According to the press reports, overall,
suicide bombings in 2008 surpassed the last year's figures, with 61
attacks killing at least 889 people and injuring 2,072. 
mainly due to the advent of the Islamic month of Muharram. During this
month the faithful mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) and refrain from indulging in any type of festivity. The
month of Safar that falls immediately after Muharram is also not
considered suitable for holding marriage ceremonies. Therefore a large
number of people schedule wedding ceremonies before Muharram to avoid a
wait period that may extend to over 2 months in case they fail to do so.
