38 Struggling Years Of APMSO

In Pakistani Politics, it has been seen in that Political Parties are formed and Students Wings are given birth later. Pakistan's new generation probably does not know that the MQM is the Pakistan's only political party, which has been produced by a student organisation. Such as there is no other example found in Pakistan. The only political strength which represents the educated and hardworking youth from poor and middle class families which has no feudal background or any backing from the establishment as we have seen in various occasions. APMSO was founded by Mr. Altaf Hussain and his close associates. In his academic years, Mr. Hussain felt that some intense injustices are been exercised with the Urdu Speaking Community in every walk of life. When he steeped in Karachi University he realised that there are numerous Student Organisations of various communities formed on ethnic basis, but there was no such group who represents the Urdu Speaking Community; the largest majority exists in in Karachi. Mr. Hussain also felt that Mohajirs (Urdu Speaking Community) are not only abused in other spheres of life but, also being abused in the field of education with Mohajir Students.

Because of the Quota System, Urdu Speaking graduates were neglected in jobs. In the year 1979, Mr. Hussain replied with proved to objections raise by his opponents with newspaper clipping on occasion of Union Election in which it was clearly stated that graduates from Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur are excused not to bother for the said jobs ads at that time. He also showed a form in which the applicant was asked the name of his father and grandfather's name, but also their birthplaces. There was also a problem in grant of Universities of urban areas of Sindh. Grant for Karachi University was less than other universities in Pakistan. Not only was that, hostel facilities in comparison to other students from Rural Sindh were better from students of Karachi. Islamic religious students and leftist organisation used to form alliance in Student Union Elections, and there was no platform for Urdu Speaking Students. There was representation of regional Student Organisations of other provinces of Pakistan but no voice to raise issues related to Urdu Speaking Students in Karachi University. There were fewer seats in educational institution in Karachi for the entitled students from their own city as they were totally ignored, while students were admitted without merit from rural areas. When Mr. Hussain enrolled in Karachi University, he fondled the excessive cruelty faced by Urdu Speaking Students. He also found that there were various regional organisations, but no union for Urdu Speaking Students which led him to think for forming own stage for the same. Finally, on June 11, 1978 APMSO was formed by Mr. Altaf Hussain.

APMSO emerged as the most popular Student Organisation of Karachi University, which became threat to Jamiat Students and on June June 3, 1981 goons from Jamiat through force and violence evicted Mr. Hussain and his peers from Karachi University. This eviction benefited in every way to APMSO and this student organisation appeared as the only popular and strong political force for Urdu Speaking Community later named as Mohajir Quami Movement. Like the Jamiat felt threatened by APMSO, similarly the establishment considers MQM as threat, as its only MQM who has challenged the ‘Status Quo’ of this country’s political system.  MQM has sent educated youth from poor and middle class to the assemblies of capitalists and landowners. These educated people from poor and middle class families are aware of the problems of a common man and are determine solve it in best possible way. That is why establishment understands MQM as a threat and they are very sure if MQM message is spread throughout the country that would be the last nail in coffin for the traditional landowners, capitalists and generals. Just like MQM has bagged the goals of Islamic and other religious political goals in the city. Therefore the establishment understands MQM is a threat and is trying to discredit the party and they are on state operation against MQM to engage them in false cases and so their message can never spread to the common man all over Pakistan. It’s such a mistake that they would finish MQM with such actions; MQM has the power of its workers and its voters. Karachi's electorate is well informed and aware of the false propaganda of the establishment. People of Karachi are well aware that MQM is the only political force who understands their problems.

Today on its 38^th birthday APMSO has become rock as tree trunk just because of the trust people has on it. Yet the roots are so strong that states repeatedly operation cannot end MQM and is coming forward as strong organisation as ever before. The message is spreading recklessly in every street in the country and we hope that this movement truly brings change in the country. Thus the result of unimaginable struggle, MQM has already got rid of corrupt political system and focused on merit, and displayed a way to get rid of such system and showed a way to have privileged sun to rule the poor and oppressed class in the country.

(translation from Urdu Blog written by @faisalmahmood99) 

Mothers Day of Shaheed's Mother.

May 1, 2016, Karachi Pakistan, It’s just a normal Sunday for my 43 year old son Aftab Ahmed, he was busy in daily routines, looking after his kids & rest of the family. He was heading towards his most passionate job which was to speak out for the injustice happening in the city against a specific community i.e. Mohajirs of Karachi.

Around middle of the night Main Gate was kicked out by LEA’s and Aftab was picked up Rangers as he was coordinator of senior MQM Leader Mr. Farooq Sattar. This wasn't happening for the first time as many of #MQM Workers Families has experienced the same. My heart was pounding as if I may not see my child again but I had faith in Almighty, the same faith when I & my family migrated from India to Independent Pakistan to live and perish for the rest of our generations.

The very next day Aftab was presented in ATC and handed over to Rangers for 90 days. I prayed to Allah Almighty to give courage to my child and help him to endure the worse he was about to face in Rangers Custody. I saw him on TV attended under dozens of Rangers Workforces’, his head covered with a bag I was relieved that at least he is okay, that’s was the hope that one day he might come home.

Divested because I didn't know where he has been taken, I was lost but that lead me nowhere as I only had to wait until he is free. It was now two days when Aftab was in Rangers Custody. Then on May 3, 2016 there was chaos in my home that Aftab is no longer among us. My son was gone; I didn't even know what really happened to him.

My son died in Rangers Custody due to inhumane torture. His 40 / 45 % of the body were choked due to multiple bruises he received in Rangers Custody.  They said he was brought to Hospital with no pulse and no blood pressure.

My son died around 07:45 am. Post-mortem reports said that "Multiple bruises found which are variable in sizes in different regions of the body. Redish and redish black in colour, some found overlapping each other,"

“Ahmed's body also had multiple abrasions, with patches of skin missing. His left foot's big toe nail was displaced from its anatomical position. Deep congestion with swelling was also noted around both his ankle joints.”

I am proud that my son did give hell of a fight with patience and remained persistent. I think he has pretty much solved his case himself, without those injuries, the bruises he received and the way he was murdered he set the motion that ultimately lead to a question mark on Law Enforcement Personnel’s & Law Makers.

After brutal torture Aftab friends & MQM community did best to keep Aftab story on front page, the story today may not be story tomorrow, the story is still fresh, and everybody is on my side the main thing is the community support that everybody’s is behind you, everybody wants justice & everybody  wants to see responsible behind bars.

For me the wait is ended, my worries are over the gap to see my son coming home with my blurred eyes is completed. I hear Aftab mumbling in my ears “Mom it’s so wonderful here, I am flying high in the sky; just like the stories you used to tell. I have found peace and Mom yes I am free now. I have got everything here expect you.” Can’t wait to be with you my beloved son. May you rest in peace. 

Social Media – Monster Controlling Minds

Being a Mommy is the most incredible thing that happens to any woman. Giving birth to a child completes Womanhood. Every Mom wants the best for her children in their lives. Bringing up this blessing of life supports and motivates the Woman to go on, in the corner of the heart Mom knows what her children are and she knows that they will make their way.

Apart from academic responsibilities Children while growing up develop lot of interests like playing cricket, hanging out with friends and must not forget computers.  They find computers more credible and compassionate. They serve their quality time on computer either studying or playing games. Children find computers as their comfort zone and they create their own fantasy world around it. They even accumulate their savings to upgrade it.

Social Media, Online Games and many other Social Networking sites attract children and introduce unknown users of similar interests. They often find new friends without knowing who is behind the screen tricking them. Although Social Media is an incredible medium for interacting around the world within seconds, but it does have some horrific negative aspect too. They are always online communicating with friends sharing news, photos, videos in fingertips which make them feel wanted and socialized.  

As a parent specially of teenagers who are experiencing the world their way, have to make sure their children do not spend too much time on engaging internet activity and they must keep a close eye on their happenings, just to make sure their communication and interaction with friends is ‘open’, most importantly parents has to be vigilant just to keep their children safe. Teenagers mostly get impressed by exciting stories and glamorous lifestyle, which is sometimes alarming which led to personality disorder in their upbringing.

Influence of Social Media has played a significant role in our society. It has become a necessary part of our lives and symbol of social status as well. Behavior of children is affected; social media sometimes becomes a pied piper for children. The desktop on study table or a smart phone has replaced the role of parents & overtaken children’s mind. They direct what to do and what not to do which is such an amazing metaphor which controls one’s life and parents are unaware of it. Literately it’s a devil which is along with their children 24/7. Cell phones and excessive use of internet constantly exert its power in every way it can, on the other hand parents are compassionate who trust their children. So no matter how much they care or want to make them safe, the love they give their children and the independence they offer them as a child is total in their hands.

Social Media has become an instructor in our children’s life, teachers refers them to research and do their work by the help of internet, friends suggests they can find updates of their interests like music, movies etc. Surprisingly, as parents us ourselves allows our children to be groomed by this Monster.

Being a teenager is an incredible confusing world, pierce becomes very very important and it doesn’t matter how close you are to a parent and how great your parents are, as you start becoming more independent you look to others either of your age or a little bit older to direct you in your journey.

As a family quality time with own children, communication and elucidation about their interests is what Parents must practice. Love and affection can replace every gadget. It’s round the clock job of Parents to a friend of their children and guides them in every step of life.

HAVE WE LOST THE WAR?

It was shocking to hear that schools & colleges of Pakistan except Sindh are closed for 03 days either it is because of extreme winter or due to security measures. Whole Pakistan is under a continuous threat & chaos. More off Schools under jurisdiction of Armed forces were closed in Sindh as well. 

On one hand these Politicians, Elected Governments & even Armed Forces claims that National Action Plan is resulting in a promising manner, then what was the reason of shutting down educational institutions in country.

Being a concerned Parent and law abide citizen it’s my fundamental right to know that my children who goes to schools or colleges are safe. I would not like to stay under constant fear that my children aren’t save. Closing schools was the surprising option of this ‘failed’ Government who are helpless against bunch of idiots who keep threatening our children and playing with the careers of our future.

After 16/12 the APS horrific incident, measure were taken to involve on educational institutions throughout Pakistan. Rs.7.5B was allocated on Security Plan for Educational Institutions in the province of Sindh, unfortunately the plan is awaited for execution.  

More to add Karachi being the mega city of Pakistan and students from all around the country as well as from the parts of the world comes here for better education; Rs.83M was allocated for the security plan which remains in files since February 2015.

It is loud and clear that there are many chances of security breach in educational institutions, never been an easy task. Governments need to take parents into confidence and must curtail the chaos and panic. Social Media is the fastest way circulating such messages or posts, even Governments can’t control it.

It’s a huge responsibility of Governments, Educational Institutions, Law Enforcement Agencies, especially Parents has to own such situation as together we can win this war. It’s such a shame that Madressahs are open and schools are closed. How come the children who come to these Madressahs are safe? National Action Plan is failure? Funds allocated for Security Plan in educational institutions spent? Are they trying to sabotage the educational system of Karachi only? Or we already have lost the war. 

Happy Birthday QeT Altaf Hussain

Growing up in Karachi is overwhelming and splendid feeling, apart from any other city of Pakistan. The most educated, learned and cultured city of Pakistan.

Politics of Pakistan has been funny in a way that when it comes to democracy only feuds & wealthy run the country to strengthen their businesses and middle knowledgeable class neither respected nor appreciated.

Altaf Hussain born to Mr.  & Mrs. Nazir Hussain was amongst educated and dignified families emerged as most powerful and brightest political personality in Pakistani & International politics. The honorable leader’s knowledge with unique political thinking of introducing / empowering middle educated class into Pakistani politics. The glory of constant movement APMSO (The then - All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization) established in the year 1978 by Mr. Hussain is still shinning under his leadership.

The empowerment of middle class is the basic purpose of the movement, which turned into the MQM come forward as the third powerful party in politics of Pakistan. MQM, power of middle class sophisticated families from Urban Sindh has been playing important role with ability to produce genuine politicians. It is a universal truth that where there is good evil is always present.

Early this year there are ‘unseen’ forces that have been are using all necessary means to crush MQM. Years have passed but 1992 operation repeated again on MQM. Many of their workers are missing, arrested on false cases and many been killed in extra judicial custody.

MQM is a healing force and Mr. Hussain is a miracle hand for the people of Urban Sindh. MQM Workers / Supporters / Well Wishers believe that MQM is the only challenge to the status quo in Pakistan. Under the brainpower of Mr. Hussain & love from the people, MQM is still shinning as brightest star in political history of Pakistan.

September 17^th, we embrace a great leader and his sacrifices for his people. This day, we do not only celebrate the memorable birthday of Mr. Altaf Hussian but we celebrate who we are, how we got there & where we have been. No matter how strong, bigger, faster & well equipped our opponents are & how ‘best’ they are presented on visual & print media. They know it too Our Great Leader is miles apart & many of our friends (who died & those who are arrested) will not be able to celebrate this event, but they will be watching and they will be gritting their teeth with every roar of the slogan ‘Jiye Altaf Hussain & ‘Jiye Muttahida’. In addition, for this crucial & difficult time we have to trust Allah & stay united, as this is how we shall be remembered and Insha’Allah grab the glory.  

Happy Birthday QeT Altaf Hussain.

Our Children – Our Future

It was routine morning in a private school of Patel Para, Karachi. A boy from 10^th grade kills his girlfriend and committed suicide in fear of expected failure in love. These teenagers became the victim of Bollywood Industry who has already done a lot of damage in Pakistani Culture. Mentally, physically & socially teenagers in Pakistan are attracted towards the exciting, glamorous & electrifying world of Bollywood Movies / Dramas. So does NavRoz adopt and shot Fatima then took his life just to save the so called ‘LOVE’ as portrayed in Bollywood.

We as a society all are responsible of this tragedy. Hopelessness & worthlessness may create such feelings that lead to mental state of ending one’s life. In our society teenagers are neglected & caught up in that grey area between the adulthood & childhood. They are treated as ‘you are too young to understand such things’ & ‘you are too old enough to take care of yourself’. Insecurity is developed in clean mind resulting ‘my family doesn’t understand me’. We expect & pressurize our teenagers to fit socially, perform academically & to act responsibly. There’s always conflict between rules & expectations set by others to teenagers, as they themselves going through phase of sexual identity & being independent.

In my view parents of both victims must have never expected that their children will execute such act. Apart from their responsibilities they should have talked to their children, comforted them, and dealt the situation in a healthy manner. Warning attitudes of teenagers aren’t any attention seeking tactics; it’s environmental, social, mental & physical anxiety that they are going through. Discussion about suicides or death in general, or sentences like ‘I won’t be a problem for you much longer, nothing matters, it’s no issue, I won’t see you again’ are be noticed with full interest.  

Although it’s useless to write all such things because Navroz & Fatima are no more. My words or such writings can’t bring their lives back, but whoever reads it will definitely think what part we can play to end such happenings. To avoid such unfairness keep healthy relationship with your children, friendly teachers can play part and on whole promote Pakistanism, Pakistani values and its morals.

Hoping we will all play a responsible role to save our children – Our Future. 

Real Challenges For PLMN

PMLN is governing Punjab since the last 3 decades. Despite of corruption, frauds & exploitation, PML Nawaz Group has managed to survive in Pakistani Politics somehow. Instead of focusing on Education, they focused on distributing Laptops & building motorways to rum their Metro Buses. PMLN as claim to be the champions of democratic system, have failed to deliver a proper schooling structure which resulted in formations of Madarssas. Being poor & with religious background Parents eventually admit their children in Madarssas with the sense that their children are in safe hands.

The body of a 6 year old boy named Moin was found hanging on the rooftop of a Mosque in his own neighbourhood. The boy was kidnapped and then raped by none other than the Mulla of the same mosque in Green Town Area Lahore.

A 5 year old girl was found in critical condition after being kidnapped & brutally raped in eastern City of Lahore. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/5-year-old-girl-brutally-raped-in-pakistan-in-critical-condition-police

Kidnapping, Rape, Children being kept as sex slaves has become practice in most of the Punjab. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130916/ARTICLE/309169959/1028

With the discovery of more than 400 videos recorded and more than 280 children involve in the largest child abuse scandal in the history of Pakistan happened in Kasur, Punjab right under the nose of PMLN Government. Victims are said to be under the age of 14, who were forced to perform the felonious act and were being filmed to blackmail the families and in return receives money.

Regretfully, many of the accused are bailed out including a local MPA & Police Officer. After the vicious carnage of APS Children in Peshawar, it’s yet another slap on Shareef Government. They are answerable not only in front of APS Massacre Affectes but every single teardrop shed from the eyes of the parents of Moin, APS Children, Kasur Child Sex Abuse Case or any other such incident registered or unregistered.

  

The Crime Statistics of Punjab Police is much on high side rather than any province of the country.

But despite 1/3 of majority in NA & being supreme power the PMLN Government has failed their supporters / voters yet again. But PMLN is doing their traditinal politics by using media, judiciary and paramilitary forces and crushing other middle class representative parties and small provinces. Their emphasis should be to solve real issues which are happening every day in Punjab otherwise they might not be able to maintain their trust on their well-wishers. But currently their focus is to crush Altaf Hussain's political leadership. Is it possible to crush a leader who represent the metropolis of Pakistan.

PMLN Government's only threat is Altaf Hussain & MQM the only middle class liberal party in entire Pakistan, as if all snags will erase if they prospered in finishing MQM. Karachi has the most powerful elite and educated class all over the country. Even on the ongoing operation against the MQM, they have managed to survive and still stand with head held high. We do not see such brutal stories of kidnapping, rape, gang rape, child abuse, or children being abused in Mosques or Madarris. MQM has always delivered when it comes to its voters / supporters. But PMLN should stop fabricating manipulated stories against Altaf Hussain or MQM, and focus on such inhumane acts happening in Punjab. 

Shariqa Ahmed

Twitter: @Shariqa_Ahmed