The launch of the scheme itself was immediately conceived as a corrupt stunt to gain publicity and popularity among the young generation especially in Lahore and other cities of Punjab immediately after several youths rallied massively in support of Imran Khan, the chair of political party Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf which somehow was perceived to be a cause of insecurity for PML N leaders.

Another controversy surrounding the campaign happened when the cheap attempt of PML N to abuse the Punjab government power was observed in form of PML N’s advertisements in the ad space that was bought exclusively for Punjab government ads in largest national news papers. These huge advertisements in national newspapers, some of them were half page coloured ads contain photograph and line from the party’s chairman and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. That’s not all, on the footer of the ad, an SMS number is given and you’re told to SMS your name on that number. Now one would immediately assert that it is to apply for the laptops but to much surprise, this number makes you the member of the political party PML N.

Newspaper ads is only one example, you’ll see several advertisements across the city which replicates the newspaper ad I spoke about.  But the advertisements is not even my real concern. Hell I don’t even know why I brought it up; my real concern is; how is it helping to distribute lavish laptops to students belonging to already privileged class? The reason I call them privileged is that primary target audience for laptop distributions is the university students who are already lucky and privileged enough to make it to the university level which more than 90% of the total population can’t. There are also reports of massive corruption in this particular campaign.

Now with having more than 90% of the population who can’t get a college/degree level education mainly because of financial crises, spending huge funds on distributing laptops to a class who already has access to computer and internet. Pakistan is among the countries having highest illiteracy rate which highlights the critical need to look into the educational policies and prioritize the government spendings.

Then it’s not only the illiteracy that is a matter of concern, we can’t afford to forget the crippling economy, largely in debt and several national crises including energy crises to be the biggest one. Then there is poverty, triggering unemployment what what not! We really don’t seem to be the country to afford such spendings on such campaigns, can we?

I personally am very disappointed, not because I didn’t get the laptop, but because of the obvious wasting of funds which might not concern you for now but I bet they are clearly gonna haunt us and have a strong impact in future.

Click on the image to see full size image

This images has been making its rounds across the social media spaces in Pakistan and abroad. The image in question is distributed by state influenced news agency APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) to the press and is blatantly photoshoped as an attempt to show the several times larger audience then the actual number of people present there. The image has gone viral over the internet media spaces of Pakistan. Social media seems to have taken yet another lead in this so called war between the conventional and new media as it has repeatedly proven that true voices can no longer be manipulated.

Lets see, all the previous political leaders and parties have given promises to the Pakistani people, and have unfortunately never fulfilled them. Is Imran Khan going to be one of them? I don’t think so and nor does the “tsunami” because he has something to give our country. Everyone probably sees something in him as he has been given the name “Quaid e Inqilaab”. If he rises to power, he is bound to bring a change as he has already proved himself with the examples of the 1992 Cricket World Cup, as well as his initiating step to build a cancer treatment hospital.

With that said, if he is in power, at least we will get rid of our ex-prisoner president who has done nothing except giving speeches on Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary every year. Imran Khan has the leading capabilities, which is the reason why he led Pakistan to winning glory in the Cricket World Cup. He is the one person who wants to come in power, not for power, but to bring a change in Pakistan. At the moment, he has achieved a great amount of support by the youth, after all they are the future of Pakistan. In my opinion, he has the largest amount of supporters all over with the “tsunami” he brings in every rally of PTI.

After a very long time, the people of Pakistan have hope for change, as this time we think this hope will not be drained after he rises to power. Even if he tries, though it will take a very very long time with the current condition, I’m sure he can bring a change in our Pakistan.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Guppu.com.

Abstract Analysis is Guppu.com's blog series that analyses the happenings in an abstract way

Last month in Pakistan was eventful; I suppose this would be an understatement. It was beyond expectations for many who don’t watch the news lines very closely or follow the factors emerging around the news. When Admiral Mullen let the cat out of bag it was not unexpected completely for me, as I knew in hindsight that such things would come out one day or the other. As far as US Pakistan relations are concerned I think I knew it right after 9/11 that such a day would come. My nightmare started when Obama started issuing some childish pre election statements right at the beginnings, that my boss Azhar Abbas who is now heading Geo tv said should be ignored as they do not matter. It was also unimportant because in the presence of heavy weights Obama was never taken serious. When he stood at his inaugural day I knew the bad days are approaching fast.

When I say this I believe it is important to understand the history of US Pakistan relations in detail. Last time when we were ditched it was another Clinton leading the same Democrats who abandoned Pakistan and even put sanctions on it. When Pakistan decided to side with US, Pakistanis realised that the time is fast approaching when they will see the US departing once again. When US decided to leave Afghanistan after USSR Pakistan was left to deal with the mess, the narcotics trade, drugs, weapons, stingers and above all the Mujahideen who were well trained, enthusiastic, ready to kill brain washed fighters. Pakistani establishment half-heartedly started listening to US but under strong threats as expressed by Musharraf in his book. Pakistan right from the beginning advised US to be cautious towards those who they have built together over the years, the Mujahideen of Afghan Jihad. US on the other hand wanted to go all they way which they did eventually leaving Pakistan with no choice but to make the U turn.

I believe with this attitude Pakistanis knew they are going to face the same once again what they did after USSR demise. I also believe the strategic partnerships were built in order to avoid a complete fallout in US Pakistan relations. The Haqqanis, the peace jirgas, the foot dragging regarding attack in Pakistani tribal areas were all part of what I call the strategic contingency planning. Pakistan knew that US is not serious about Afghanistan as much as it is about other interests it has, it also knew that Afghanistan was not a priority but a liability only because Osama Bin Laden happened to be there when 9/11 happened. I could see American administration wishing if for any reason if Osama could have moved to Iraq that would have made their lives so easier. Unfortunately this was not the case, but with all the war, the attacks and killings one thing that always lingered in between both allies and partners (as they preferred to call themselves) was the deep mistrust. On the front it was not obvious as Musharraf had a way of dealing things that unfortunately was not the case with his successors. I also think with an ever-increasing insecurity Pakistan looked at sides and started developing its own exit plans, beyond US and ISAF. The fact of the matter is that Pakistan and Afghanistan has to co exist with Taliban good and bad both. US have its own interests and a very deep fear that if they leave Afghanistan abruptly their victims in Afghanistan might chase them to their homeland. This puts both sides in a seriously catch 22 situation.

Pakistan is embroiled at double ends; it is fighting a war within its own boundary as well as with forces beyond its boundary and control. The second part of this fight is where it has failed to del with its targets head on. I believe those who accuse Pakistan of deception need to look hard on the facts I stated above. This deception is not unjustified if we look hard and fast on these issues facing Pakistan. No matter how much I doubt the ability of the president of Pakistan but when he wrote in Washington post he stated some key facts for the world to read and understand. I also believe that the world knows those facts but prefers to ignore them rather than taking them into account. With regard to this current skirmish between Pakistan and US over Afghanistan and all the hue and cry surrounding it. I would only say that Pakistani media is just lowing it out of proportion to start with Secondly it is another Raymond Davis saga revisited and those anchors who are screaming at top of their voices, on Pakistani airwaves are the same who predicted a lot and left in the middle then and would face the same now. They are pawns used and abused and yet have the courage to come and face the camera again. They will continue to pollute our airwaves while this skirmish will evaporate in thin air.

The fact of the matter is that the issue is not Rabbani or Haqqani or the US embassy attack it is far deeper and complicated. No one really understands that such stupid childish actions from Americans and the hue and cry from Pakistani media puppets is absolutely useless and is very dangerous. What is needed now more than ever is for Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit down and engage in an extensive composite dialogue ranging from all the issues and settle them once and for all? It has to be done without US and it has to be done as soon as it could be. This will improve the overall situation in the region and would solve the myth about having or not having Taliban on board these discussions. It will also bring both sides to a mutual point regarding good Taliban and bad Taliban.

For United States I believe it is good time to unfold, and follow its schedule as that is what it has always done, ditched partners and allies in the middle, left mess behind and sanctioning its friends whenever it wanted. I personally don’t think US hue and cry matters at all in this regard as it is only trying to pressurise its way into the regional politics where Afghanistan and Pakistan have started taking radical steps for their own benefits themselves and the need for an American policeman is eroding with ever passing day.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Guppu.com.

Express Tribune

Contact between US, Pakistan intact: Marc Grossman

WASHINGTON: US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman on Wednesday said Washington does not want its relations with Pakistan to end.

Amid growing pressure from Capitol Hill for some action against Pakistan, there are signs that US officials are now pushing to cool down rising temperatures. Read full..

Pakistan Today

Grossman, Haqqani agree not to affect Pak-US relations

WASHINGTON – United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman and Husain Haqqani talked on phone and discussed present situation.

Hussain Haqqani and Marc Grossman talked on phone and agreed that differences over Haqqani network won’t be allowed to affect Pak-US ties. Read full..

Photo: Radio Liberty

Guppu.Com | News Alert | Int’l Desk
Source/Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
By News Agencies | September 22, 2011

A French woman who wears the Islamic face veil, despite a nationwide ban, says she wants to run for president in next year’s elections in France [..]

Read full news report here . . .