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Pakistan Payment Gateway on its way

Yes u have heard it right! In a month or so, one of the largest UAE based group who currently has a telco, bank and other technology companies under his umbrella, is almost set to launch the first ever payment solution in Pakistan. Since they have successfully implemented payment gateways in other countries too therefore it promises to be robust and flexible to make e-merchants life easy. To make transactions highly secure and fraudelent proof, merchants will have to enroll for Verified by Visa (a Visa program which requires dual authentication), in other words if someone finds out all your CC detail he still wont be able to transact online.

 However the sad news for ebusiness is that they will only be able to accept credit cards which may make things a little bit difficult as currently there are merely 0.9 million CC holders, not only that a few bank also charge consumer Rs. 100 each time they request their bank to user their cards online.

All in all the future seems bright for all those who have been waiting anxiously for this facility. I am sure it will too give birth to some new entrepenuers who stalled and found this as their biggest hurdle to join others in e-pool.

Waseem Ahmed – CCPO Karachi fails to understand the intensity of violence

Mr. Waseem Ahmed CCPO karachi was invited as a guest in Nadia Naqi’s programme ‘Awam ki Awaz’ on CNBC Pakistan in which CCPO karachi appealed to the citizens not to pay attention to any rumours spread by one other and also to the media not to just put on the news without any confirmation regarding the violence in Karachi. He was right to certain extent but then he used this excuse to get away with whatever question was thrown at him by the callers in the show.

When a particular question was asked regarding any safety measure taken for normal operation of petrol pumps, in response to that Mr. Wasim suggested the gas station owners and other businesses such as banks and private organisation should have their own security guards and other security measures in place and be responsible for their own safety since the police does not have enough force to look after them.

Mr. Waseem’s statement makes me think that this man is absolutely incapable of doing his job, he not only fails to control the menance in karachi but also fails to understand his responsibilities and basic duty. In addition he also mentioned that for ever 520+ citizens there is one policeman, this figure is utterly disgraceful and indicates how insecure we are in our own city!

We leave behind Iraq and Afghanistan in suicide bombing death toll

Shocked, arent you? The Nation on Sept 15th published this appauling news when Pakistan finally topped the list of countries suffering from the menace of deadly suicide bombings which have caused the highest number of human losses during the first eight months of 2008, leaving Afghanistan and Iraq behind.

Following are the figures compiled by country’s intelligence agency

Pakistan suffered 28 suicide attacks during the first eight months of 2008, killing over 471 people and wounding 713 others, including innocent civilians as well as the armed forces personnel. On the other hand, the war-ridden Afghanistan and Iraq, despite facing a higher digit of suicide bombings during the same period, underwent lesser number of human losses. Available figures show there were 42 incidents of suicide attacks in Iraq between January 1 and August 31, 2008, claiming 463 lives, besides wounding 527 others. In contrast, 436 people were killed and 394 injured in 36 suicide attacks that took place in Afghanistan during the same period.

Of the 471 people killed in suicide bombings across Pakistan in the first eight months of 2008, the number of the civilian casualties was 312. The number of the policemen killed in these attacks stood at 87, followed by 72 personnel of the security forces which have often been targeted in the aftermath of the bloody Operation Silence carried out against the fanatic clerics of the Lal Masjid (July 3-10, 2007).

The Pakistani security forces, especially the armed forces personnel, seem to be the main target of the human bombs ever since the Pakistan Army carried out the bloody Lal Masjid operation which allegedly killed hundreds, including innocent civilians. Look at the figures since then, compiled by the Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency: over 500 armed forces personnel have so far been killed and over 850 injured in 65 incidents of suicide hits across Pakistan in a duration of 13 months [between July 10, 2007 and August 31, 2008]. The year 2007 was the bloodiest since Pakistan joined the war against terror, as a series of deadly suicide attacks and roadside bombings rocked the four provinces as well as the federal capital, claiming over 1,100 lives. The dangerous trend of suicide hits, targeting the armed forces personnel touched alarming heights in 2007, averaging more than one suicide attack a week as the Pakistani establishment apparently lost control of the extremist militants’ networks and their leaders that it had nurtured to advance its geo-strategic agenda in neighbouring states.

While the PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s December 27, 2007 assassination in Rawalpindi was the most high-profile suicide attack of the year 2007, there were total 56 incidents of suicide bombings across Pakistan, mostly targeting the security forces. The tragic assassination of Benazir by a sharp shooter, followed by a suicide bombing, represented the peak of the assault going on in Pakistan for almost a year now. The previous attempt to kill the PPP leader on October 18, 2007, was also carried out by a human bomb which had blown himself up near her welcome procession which she was leading from the airport upon her return to Pakistan after spending eight years in self-exile. However, it was unusual for an individual suicide bomber to kill over 140 people, as had happened in Karachi. Before the Oct 18 attack, the deadliest suicide attack carried out anywhere in the world was the one that killed 133 people in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Feb 3, 2007 when a bomber had detonated an explosive-laden truck at a busy market place.

Figures compiled by the interior ministry show that Pakistan witnessed a ten-fold increase in the incidents of suicide bombings in 2007 as compared to 2006, although there are many who believe that the actual numbers of fatalities could be considerably higher given understated official accounts and erratic reportage from all the conflict zones. The year 2007 witnessed 56 suicide attacks, killing 472 armed forces personnel and injuring 230 civilians. 2007 also saw an increase of 100 percent in attacks targeting the law enforcement personnel, as 234 of them lost their lives in 465 attacks across Pakistan besides killing 262 civilians. In comparison, 224 attacks targeted law enforcement personnel in 2006, resulting in 82 personnel and 159 civilians being killed. The year 2007 also witnessed over a 100 percent increase in bomb blasts, as 42 law enforcement personnel and 164 civilians lost their lives in 477 explosions targeted at them compared to the killings of only ten law enforcement personnel and 110 civilians in 2006 in similar incidents of terrorism.

The year 2007 also topped in total causalities, as 2,116 people, including 558 law enforcement agencies personnel, were killed and 3,962 injured in 1,825 attacks compared to 1,482 attacks in 2006 in which 967 people, including 263 law enforcement agencies personnel, were killed and 1,895 injured. As a matter of fact, there had been only 12 such attacks all over Pakistan between January 1 and July 3, 2007, killing 75 people. Yet the turning point came with the Army’s blood-spattered military action on the Lal Masjid. The remaining 44 suicide attacks took place after the Operation, between July 4 and December 27, 2007, spreading to Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other urban centres, killing 567 people, mostly the members of the military and paramilitary forces, the ISI and the police.

Thoughts: This is not happening itself we brought this on ourself by first giving birth to an illegal child called Al Qaeda to make our ‘dada’ (U.S) happy and now reaping what we sowed decades ago!!

Cease Fire in Parachinar

On Saturday 27th Sept 2008 peace jirga of tribal elders agrees representing the warring groups of Kurram Agency agreed to observe cease fire till December 31st and hope to extend cooperation to the government in its efforts for restoring peace in the violence-hit area.

 

The jirga was held under the supervision of Kurram Political Agent Azam Khan and Lower Kurram Assistant Political Agent Ayyaz Khan Mandokhel.

The four-point ‘peace agreement’ signed by both sides was announced by Political Agent Azam Khan at a media briefing.

The agreement that came into effect on Saturday says:

(1) the ceasefire in Kurram Agency will continue till December 31 and if any incident of fire happens in any area during this period, the tribes of that region will themselves hand over the persons involved to the local administration.

The tribe concerned will fully cooperate with the government and the administration will take stern action against the violators of the peace agreement.

(2) A grand jirga, to be nominated later for which the jirga members authorised the political agent, would be called on October 6 to resolve the controversial issues between Shia and Sunni tribes in presence of the political agent.

(3) Both Shia and Sunni tribes would exchange the bodies and those kidnapped during the period of the conflict.

(4) Both the tribes would try to supply edibles, medicines and other items of daily use to the affected areas so as to resolve problems being faced by people, particularly women and children, and pave way for holding another jirga in a pleasant atmosphere.

The political agent expressed the hope that peace would be restored in the agency, saying this time both the rival groups had agreed unanimously to cooperate with the government to bring normalcy to the area.

I hope this brings peace in the area for both sunni and shia however I do still have my doubts not on the tribes intention for peace but intervention of taliban and other parties, acting as a catalyst to revive this war again in future!

Downfall of Musharraf’s Dictatorship

This picture was taken in Lahore just couple of days before Musharraf resigned.

This just defines how unpopular Musharraf was in last few months of his reign due to some major flaws in Musharraf’s government. Though I still consider him as best of the worst from the lot and I am sure most will agree.

Parachinar – A MUST SEE VIDEO

Talat Hussain from Aaj Tv visits Parachinar, showing both sunni and shias discussing their issues. Detailed interview and an eye opener for those who dont know about the ground situation in Parachinar, unwrapping the truth!!

Click here to see the Parachinar video!!

President Zardari’s story unfolded

Asif Ali Zardari

jail ka tu resident raha
mulk ka tu president bana
naam hai taira zardari
kaam hai taira gadagari

zardari nay sambhalee ab ghardari
aiwan-sadar mai sab nay kee us kee taraf dari

jab say iqtaydar mai aya hai zardari
america nay tab say kee hai bambari

choro ko milee hai chowkidari
ab daikh kia karta hai zardari

nara lagaya “mulk khappay” ka
ab yai mulk ko lay dobain ga

mazol jajjo ko kia topi pinai hai tunay
ab aur kitnay barahay ga apnay account mai shunay (number 0)

Hidden Truth about Parachinar!

The article below is taken from Frontier Post Newspaper which highlights the truth about Parachinar which Pakistani media has denied to cover. The article gives a complete picture of the current happenings, also identifies the one who should be blamed for the killings of innocent people!

Written by Dr Ghayur Ayub
Sarwan Ali-an honest man, is a retired Lance Naik from the village Malana in the outskirt of Parachinar and has been living with his wife in a single room. Not any more. Now, he is fighting for his life in Agency HQ Hospital, Parachinar, from a gunshot wound. Wounds inflicted from bombs, snipers, splinters and guns have become part of daily life in Kurrum agency mostly linked to sectarian strife. But his wound is different. He was not shot by the opposing group for his affiliation to any sect. His is a self inflicted wound. Reason? Before the sectarian conflict, he would go to Parachinar and work on ‘Dhiari’ (daily wages) to earn enough to sustain himself and his wife. After the escalation in war, situation has changed dramatically. In a short span, the death toll has reached hundreds and the injured thousands. The prices of daily commodities have rocketed sky-high as the only road linking Parachinar with mainland Pakistan remains closed. This has paralysed the life in Parachinar, closing the markets and stopping the construction work.

As a consequence, the poor are suffering the most. The days of ‘Dhiari’ are over and they, like Sarwan Ali, are jobless and with no income. Many mornings, he went to the town expecting to earn a few rupees and every evening he came back empty handed with shattered hopes. Many nights he and his wife went to bed without proper food with bellyful of boiled leaves from the nearby ShahTut tree. He was too proud to beg and too honest to steel. He sold all their possessions, except for his rifle. In the Pukhtun culture, rifle is considered to be a man’s honour; he couldn’t sell his honour. He returned home one evening feeling low and disheartened after another fruitless day and found his grief stricken wife shivering like a leaf. He knew it was Malaria as he saw her in that state before. But still, he put his trembling hand on her forehead; she was burning hot. He also knew she needed medicine to bring the temperature down and to treat the Malaria but this time, unlike the previous time; he didn’t have money to buy the needed medicine. The feeling of desperation hit him hard and the sense of worthlessness stabbed him deep. He couldn’t bear to see the pain on her pale face. He knew she was not only sick but also weak from lack of food. Filled with despondency, he moved to one corner, picked up his gun, loaded it and turned around to face her. Tears were rolling down her face. She knew what he was about to do. “You’re an honourable man Sarwan Ali. Do what you have to do.” She closed her eyes waiting for the end. He pointed the gun at her but could not bring himself to shoot her. He started crying like a child and for a long time, the two caring souls broke the silence with their agonising sobs. Then slowly, he eased the pressure on the trigger and started walking towards the door. He decided to sell his honour, his gun, in Parachinar to buy medicine for his dear wife. He went to a chemist shop and offered to sell his gun and get medicine out of the price. He was told that there was no medicine because none was coming through the blocked roads from Peshawar. Sarwan pleaded with him and told him about his wife’s condition. The man felt sorry for him and handed him over two Paracetamols. Back in the room, he gave the tablets to his wife and after a while she stopped shivering and went to sleep. He watched her sleep for a long time, then got up slowly, performed Wazu as if he was preparing for prayer; picked up his gun and without a second thought shot himself. The bullet passed through his chest. This is the life in the war-torn Parachinar, where death is as cheap as sipping water from a stream; a town, which was known for pleasant weather and natural beauty.

A town, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto fell in love with and wanted to turn it into a settlement like Switzerland. That was the time when Shah of Iran had friendly relation with Saudi King. That was the time when Sunni-Shia misunderstandings did not change into hate. That was the time when skirmishes between Sunni and Shais remained local and were settled amicably by the administration. That was the time when Afghanistan was not taken over by Taliban. And that was the time when general Zia was still serving as army chief under ZAB. Things changed when Shah was deposed in Iran, when Zia took over in Pakistan, when Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviets, when America supported fanatic Sunni Arabs against Soviets, and when it helped Sunni Pukhtuns against Iran. Things changed radically. What people didn’t realise was that America was using Muslim religious sentiments for its own gains. It poured money into the pockets of Afghan Warlords with the help of general Zia and turned American war into ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ with tremendous consequences to Pakistan. It took advantage of Zia’s sectarian leanings and put Pakistan on the road to political and religious vulnerability. It was then, when Parachinar was caught in the middle of sectarian strife. Iranian clergy started supporting the Shias in Parachinar through prominent local Syeds, and the Saudi Wahabis pumped money to the local Sunni Mullahs. Sunnis fought Afghan war to please Saudis and Shias safeguarded Iranian interests. Soviets were defeated in Afghanistan; American won the ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ and left the spoils in the hands of fanatics. The spill over was bound to effect Parachinar. And it did in a big way. The beautiful town has never since returned to its previous grace. The time rolled on.

The strong corporations in America required an enemy to replace the dismembered Soviets. They found one in the garb of ‘terrorism’ creeping out of Afghanistan. It was moulded in the same outfit as their Jihadi friends in the not so distant past. Now, they needed the change of guards in Afghanistan to target it. They got lucky; the history favoured them twice; once when Musharaf sacked a democratic government in Pakistan; again, when the Towers were brought down by the terrorists. The White House didn’t need much persuasion to seek help from ‘moderate’ Musharaf who made a U-turn in Afghan policy. With change of policy the enemies changed. Now, the Americans were not fighting the communists; they were fighting the terrorists who happened to be Muslims; and Musharaf was not fighting the infidels, he was fighting the same Muslims. In this way, the moderate Musharaf surpassed those barriers which even zealous Zia dared to tread, exposing Pakistan to massive internal turmoil. Today, Parachinar is burning in a fire lit by fanatic Zia and spread by moderate Musharaf; a fire which is different from the one seen in rest of the tribal area. It is not linked to sentiments against Pakistan army or even America. It is based on emotions against Taliban.

Majority in upper Kurrum are Shia and they despise Taliban. Taliban in return, reciprocate their sentiments by sending decapitated bodies of Shias captured during their journeys to Peshawar. The Internet is full of grotesque footages. The Shia-dominated upper Kurrum is sealed by the surrounding Sunni-belt having a strong influence of Taliban. In the middle of it, Parachinar is in virtual siege with no food items, no daily commodities and no medicines. In desperation, the Shias are turning to Afghan government for help after seeing apparent apathy from Pakistan. This is a bizarre situation, the like of which was once historically seen in early 20th century, when a Shia Turi tribal Chief, Noor Khan (alias Dur Khan) sought British help when he found Shias under siege in identical circumstance. Today they are asking Afghan government to help them against the Taliban. In the middle of this bizarre turn around, the poor people of Parachinar from both sects are slaughtered like animals in sectarian hate and others like Sarwan Ali are killing themselves for reasons other than that hate. This is Parachinar burning in a fire not lit by the locals but by those whose political and religious interests lay outside Pakistan.

Sneak Peek

It is human nature to be influenced by what they see around, it could be anything clothes car, mobile phones, dinning places etc though there are certain things which people buy on the basis of their previous experiences or their personal choice. Recently shopping at a local supermarket (MAKRO) I witnessed something astonishing a quality which only women possess, while I was browsing the store along with the trolly filled with stuff, I noticed that not one but three female shoppers on three different occasion sneakily peeked at the stuff in my trolley.

This observation of unusual behaviour lead me to question myself ‘what were they trying to find’ in my trolley and acting suspicious, since I am too clever it didnt took me long to figure it out the reason. Here it goes women in Pakistan are new to this concept of supermarket, wide range of new products, place as big as a shopping mall and on top of that one place for everything. Maybe all this has given birth to a new behavioural characteristic in Pakistani women of now being influenced by other shoppers in a supermarket to help them choose the right goods or maybe they were curious to know what I have bought. Whichever might be the actual reason I just think women is one creature unbelievably difficult to understand.

We have to stop this before it spreads like a wild fire… Any suggestions??

P.S. If this makes you think I am a male chauvinist please help yourself and go back to where you came from… mazak kar raha hu!! I know its not possible.