Sunday, December 23, 2007

The scion inspects work in surprise visit

The scion of the Punjab's foremost political dynasty, Mounis Elahi, proved today that he's no slacker, that he can inspect it with the best of 'em.

Travelling incognito, he turned up completely unannounced at Liberty Market to inspect the work done over the Eid holidays by his legion of faithful followers.



The impression left on the innocent bystanders was deep - to say the least.

Such humility, such heart-felt acknowledgement of heroic, selfless service. Verily, the Punjab Social Welfare Department and the Elahi family have hit on a winning combination.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

طوفان ہے اگر




طوفان ہے اگر گھر کی درپے یوں بیٹھ نہ جا؀ؤ کچھ تو کرو
کھڑکی کہ شکستہ شیشے پر کاغز ہی لگاؤ کچھ تو کرو


انسان کہ قبضۂ قدرت میں اک نطق نہیں، بہت کچھ ہے
ہونٹوں سے نہ نکلے بات اگر آنکھوں سے سناؤ، کچھ تو کرو


محرومِ تمنا رہنے کا سنّاٹا کھا جائے گا تمہیں
مایوسی کے سکتے سے بچو، آنسو ہی بہاؤ' کچھ تو کرو


سلطان کے قصرِ مرمر کا دروازۂ آہن بند سہی
گر توڑ نہیں سکتے اس کو، زنجیر ہی ہلاؤ، کچھ تو کرو


اے جلتے ہوئے گھر کے لوگو شعلوں میں گِھرے کیا سوچتے ہو
جب آگ بجھانا مشکل ہے باہر نکل آؤ، کچھ تو کرو


یہ کھیت جو چپ ہیں بولیں گے اور اکھوے آنکھیں کھولیں گے
بارش نہ سہی بجلی ہی سہی، کچھ تو برساؤ، کچھ تو کرو

ّـ احمد ندیم قاسمی

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Uff, I'm so tired of these drawing room discussions

Well, who isn't, really?

If you're serious about making a difference, there are at least 198 ways to go about it.

All of them non-violent, but far from inactive.

We're exploring the following:
Pamphleteering
Lobbying government officials (in a country with a small, almost incestuously connected elite, this is an obvious tactic, with potentially high returns)
Flash protests
Wall-chalking
Street theatre
Person-to-person discussions and mobilisation

So don't just stand there - do something!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

First Flash Protest

Yesterday, 19th November, 2007, two of our shabaab staged the group's first flash protest at Ghazi Chowk, DHA, (Lahore).

A real DIY job, they simply had two placards that they displayed to motorists stopping at the traffic lights.

The placards, in Urdu, translate as:
  1. "Did you know that you can now be court-martialled? Yes you! Bloody civilian!"
  2. "We're thankful to President and General Musharraf for they have both saved Pakistan!
More to follow.