One with a million!

Well well well, someone is not happy after all that posing. Pakistan's new foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar does not like to called "Fashion Icon" as reported by the Indian newspaper, The Hindu. However, she has no one to blame except herself. Ever since her nomination was announced, there have been discussions about Hina Rabbani Khar. Her credentials, though impressive, have been blown out of proportions. Time and again, it is reminded that she is a foreign graduate – a creature higher than local graduates. Her first trip after holding the office was to India, and ever since, she has landed she has been catching the eye.

Dressed in seemingly simple clothes, Khar has simply loaded her with accessories. You name it and she's got it. Limited edition bags and expensive shoes, she even owns South Sea pearl jewelry. For a safe estimate, only her shoes are almost worth a full-year salary of a daily wager in Pakistan. Who knows? These shoes are really made for walking.

Nonetheless, the argument behind it is that they are personal possession. However, let's not forget that this is no joyride. One can strut her stuff when she is on a personal trip, but this is business. She is on a state visit to India where she is representing a country which is still recovering from the floods that hit last year – one of worst natural disaster in the recorded history.

So much for her credentials – and the aura of being a foreign graduate – as she fails and fall flat on her face – with her Jimmy Choos – when it came to representing her people. I thought that foreign graduates knew how to make better impressions for their client but this is a failure. Her bad choice of accessorizing herself shows that Pakistani leadership live in a world entirely different from the one their public lives in. The aftermath of her actions are best put in a headline by The Guardian:

Pakistan foreign minister bags attention on India trip

That pretty much sums it all up. By the way Ms. Khar, are those Jimmy Choos good at tossing around?

Bilawal may (or may not)... stay tuned!

Time to toss a shoe or two as it seems that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) likes it that way. While it had been a ongoing nightmare to live in Karachi, the world's most populous city, because the law and order torpedoed as soon as "frenemies" aka MQM left the Government. Zardari gloated something about his boy wonder Bilawal:

"Bilawal is your future MNA and despite being away he is keenly monitoring developments in Lyari."

As reported by Dawn, the co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari, who happens to be the President, has asked National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to tailor-make an "interactive program" as his name-changing son would like to "track events and developments of the area." Why cause such distress "Mr. President" when this can be done with the thugs who carry out "your orders" so effectively? How about buying you ask your little champ to read some Urdu newspapers? Bilawal cannot even survive a day in Defence, let alone in Lyari. The place is filled with gangs which are busy in their turf wars.

However, like everything PPP, a denial has to come. In response to his father's promise, Bilawal tweeted (mind you from London):

"took my first breath in lyari. special place in my heart for lyari. want so much more 4 lyari. still not running in next election."

Just like last year, when daddy dearest was out frolicking and scotching in France and United Kingdom, and promised that his son will "launch" his political career, Bilawal stepped back from the plan on the last minute and rather started a fund-raising movement for the flood victims.

It kind of shows that Bilawal might never be interested in the pie that is Pakistani politics. Never after the death of his mother, he has shown a keen interest in the country's affair. Yes, there have been a speech here, a conference there but there has never been direct interaction with the people, like the one his mother and his grandfather were famous for. A son, whose father stays near the sea and slaughters black goats for his life's longetivity, would need a lion's heart if he does the election process properly. If his father thinks that Bilawal can be jetted inside Pakistan then he should think it again. Not visible yet but very soon, we might see real competition for Zardari Jr. Young Pakistanis are now waking up to the fact that they need to play a part in their country's politics.

But then again, Lyari might not be a bad choice. With nightclubs, pubs, drugs, and sluts (male or female) available in the area, Bilawal might not notice any difference.

Time to fix Kashmir

This Monday, the Senior Legal Coordinator of my company said:

"Jo roti aj kal apko saath rupay ki milti hai, woh sub Kashmir ki wajah se hai." (The bread that you get for seven rupees these days is all because of Kashmir.)

Two days later, triple "terrorists" bombings in Mumbai killed twenty and injured several. By tomorrow morning, India will be pointing fingers on Pakistan for the trouble without any proper investigation. The accusation of "India being manhandled" would be talk of their media. However, no solid efforts would be made to reduce tensions.

Like it or not, Kashmir has been a bone of contention between the both of countries for almost six and a half decades. The countries spend exuberantly on their military forces only to keep "peace" intact. The problem has pushed both countries into wars and war-like situation, in almost every decade. Whilst the money goes to "peacekeeping", the poor of both countries are denied of their basic education and healthcare rights. India while being bigger is managing a bit better but the same could not be said for Pakistan.

An amicable solution to Kashmir will surely help both the nations. It will free up the reserves that are being used by the military forces of both the nations. It will make things better for the peoples living in both the countries. It will pave the way for better economic and cultural ties, and competition would more to better things than war. A majority of terrorism related issues will also be solved, especially for Pakistan where hardliners see Kashmir as a shortcut to heaven. A solution to Kashmir can be bring much needed peace in the region.

Here I would also like assert a point that Kashmiris (I presume that they are in their third generation) are now fighting for separation rather than being annexed to Pakistan. Furthermore, over the last decade, a lot of Pakistan have accustomed the idea of a separate Kashmir than it being a part of their country. And, a separate Kashmir would be as much beneficial as it being a part of Pakistan. Kashmir is a land-locked territory. The industries that would develop in this region would require seaports to ship there goods. The closest port for Kashmiri industries would definitely be the one in Karachi. Furthermore, a peaceful Kashmir would have the chance to get bigger investments from the neighboring China and India. The access for India to the markets in Central Asia and Afghanistan would be easier too. These might be the few apparent positive outlooks of a separate sovereign republic in Kashmir.

However, the status quo from the Indian side is a big hindrance. India needs to come of the delusion that it could benefit from Kashmir by keeping it occupied. It needs to do a little soul-searching and should give it away for the benefit of its people and the people of this region. Together, the republics in Pakistan, India and Kashmir would be far better than it being hanging in the balance between the two military.

But then again, what the military forces would do without Kashmir. Sit idle? All in all, time to rethink, reassess and fix this situation before it gets out of hand.