Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘Peace’

Now our economic malaise has reached such a stage that business as usual, is going to jeopardise our statehood, not in years, but in months.

The degree of the sovereignty of a country, is directly proportional to the state of the economy of that nation. Actually, in constant growth & development lies our salvation. Secondly, we Pakistanis must know, that without any doubt, the …

The news published at ESPNcricinfo.com quoted as below, that ICC is not willing to send its officials for supervising the planned cricket matches to be played between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled in April 2012, is really disappointing to say the least. Rather than ICC helping revive international cricket in Pakistan, by sending a world XI, it is relegating the BD cricket teams tour to Pakistan, almost to a nonevent, as if it was hockey or rugby and does not pertains under the ambit of ICC. This is NOT Cricket.

Quote. “ICC news

ICC frames plan for ‘unsafe’ series
Nagraj Gollapudi
March 7, 2012

The ICC has introduced a “special dispensation” to be made only in “exceptional circumstances” in order to ensure that bilateral series take place even if the ruling body has determined it “unsafe” to appoint its officials for such series. This would allow such series to be manned by “non-neutral match officials”, a departure from the ICC’s Standard Playing Conditions, pending permission from the ICC’s Executive Board.

The dispensation, announced at the end of the ICC’s Chief Executive Committee (CEC)’s two-day meeting in Dubai, will have special significance for the proposed tour of Pakistan by Bangladesh, the planning for which is at an advanced stage.

The CEC stated that it had limited powers to take a decision over safety issues as to whether tours should take place or not. It reiterated that the ICC’s role in bilateral series was “limited to considering the safety and security of the match officials after a tour had been confirmed and a security plan produced.” The decision as to whether a particular tour should take place or not was, the CEC stated, “one for the participating countries.”

The CEC statement has ensured that the ICC’s own officials need not be appointed for Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan. That could be seen by Pakistan as a stumbling block towards hosting top-level international cricket; other nations would be wary of touring if the ICC deemed the situation was not safe for their officials.

For Bangladesh, the seal of ICC’s approval would have ensured greater vigilance around security issues. Last week, a nine-member Bangladesh delegation, led by their cricket board president Mustafa Kamal, gave a nod to the security arrangements at various venues after a two-day visit. Both Kamal, and Zaka Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, had said that they would approach the ICC to approve the tour.

It is understood that the ICC dispatched individual letters to both the PCB and BCB on Monday, saying that it could not give the tour a go-ahead. The CEC’s introduction of this special dispensation around “non-neutral match officials” did not make a specific reference to the ICC’s disapproval of the series or that the tour had been deemed “unsafe” for its match officials to stand in. The dispensation however, creates the opportunity for the series to go ahead with Pakistani or Bangladeshi umpires and match-referees.

There had been two itineraries proposed for the tour, one of which includes a three-match ODI series, and the other a series of two ODIs and one Twenty20 international, to be completed in one week in April. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Stadium are the venues expected to host the matches.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Bangladesh’s security team had expressed its reservations in playing in Karachi, and instead hope to play all the proposed matches in Lahore. Earlier, Rawalpindi was dropped as a venue from the plan.

“It is important the tour goes ahead for Pakistan cricket to show the country can host games again,” Subhan Ahmad, the PCB’s chief operating officer, told Reuters. “We will have the highest level of security possible.”

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, pointed out that special dispensations however should not become a norm. “Bearing in mind that safety and security is the sole responsibility of individual member boards for bilateral matches, the CEC regarded this as an exceptional circumstance in which the appointment of non-neutral match officials could be justified but stated clearly that it should not to be regarded as a preferred option or precedent if the dispensation were to be granted,” Lorgat said.

There has been no international cricket in Pakistan for exactly three years now after masked terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus and the van carrying ICC match officials, who were on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 3, 2009, on what was the third day of the second Test.” Un-quote.

The above mentioned decision of ICC means that they want to inflict upon Pakistan, a perpetual punishment of banning genuine and authentic International cricket from this cricket loving country forever. And too, by ignoring all the huge human and material sacrifices Pakistan gave as a front line state, in the war against terror, while standing with the world community to make this planet a secure and safe place of freedom, peace and liberty.

This is called playing into the hands of terrorists. In fact, this gives a clear cut signal that terrorism pays.

But remember, what happened at Munich Olympics where so much blood was shed? IOC did not succumb to the unbearable pressures of security concerns and the majestic Olympics flame and its movement goes on, despite severe security threats all over the world.

ICC must know that the way it is approaching security issues in Pakistan, it is not only retrogressive but discriminatory, as well. However, leaving aside the negative effects on Pakistan cricket, the biggest sufferer will be the game of cricket, for which ICC will rue for a long time to come, when posterity will give its verdict that not terrorism, but ICC, with its myopic policies, destroyed growth & development of the glorious game of cricket.

If nations and organizations start succumbing to the threats of black mail or security concerns, then nothing will stop their decay into wilderness. Look how serious security threats were posed by the Mumbai 26/11 attack, but English cricketers continued their tour of India, sending a clear message of solidarity and steadfastness with freedom, peace and liberty.

Timidity, only gives longevity to the nefarious designs of the evil. And this was the reason England never surrendered in the Second World War to the mighty German onslaught, despite unbearable sufferings sustained for many years. Similarly, Pakistan as a front line state in war on terror is standing for more than a decade, like a rock of Gibraltar, to protect world from the spread of terrorism. As such, Pakistan deserves more than any other country in the world to be supported, even out of the way, for its sacrifices for the peace of the entire world.

So come on ICC, show some true spirit of cricket, as it is not the game for timid perons, stand up and be counted for freedom, peace and liberty.

The planned tour of Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan in April 2012, will be a great opportunity to promote peace through sports/cricket.

However, as reported on TV last night that Bangladesh cricket team’s coach Stuart Law, who is of Australian origin, has declined to tour Pakistan with the Bangladesh cricket team, for it’s impending tour being scheduled next month in April. This news if correct, raises many questions with serious ramifications for the cricketing world.

Nevertheless, before dwelling with the consequences of the above mentioned news, the following facts should also be kept in mind, to have a better prospect of the whole issue.

1. Newly appointed coach of Pakistan cricket team Dev Whatmore, is also a former Australian Test and international cricket player, who had no qualms ever for staying in Pakistan. In fact, he was one of the coaching candidates for the Pakistani cricket team, when another very famous former Australian international cricketer Lawson, was selected as coach for Pakistan. We understand that when he was removed to appoint Waqar Younis, Lawson never himself wanted to quit the job. And Lawson stayed in Pakistan (and also wanted to stay further) during much worse war conditions in Afghanistan and it’s spill over impact of very serious law and order conditions, then prevailing in Pakistan.

2. To say that Stuart Law is taking refuge under travel advisory of Australian government, is also a very weak argument, which does not hold water, as many Australian professionals are continuing to visit Pakistan and they even stay here for longer durations, without any fear of violence. As compared to this situation, we hear very regular news of violence against Asian migrants in Australia, but then again no body stays away from traveling there.

3. One isolated incidence against the SriLankan cricket team, can’t be made an excuse to stop international cricket in Pakistan forever. No foreign team ever stopped visiting SriLanka during it’s 25 years civil war, where matches continued even during bombings and explosions. Also no one stopped visiting New York or USA after 9/11. Pakistani players were once mugged in South Africa. One off incidents or accidents happen everywhere, so why to single out only Pakistan. People don’t stop air travels, just because airplanes do meet accidents every now and then.

4. Now, if today Bangladesh cricket board succumbs to the blackmail tactics of their coach or support staff, this matter will not stop here. Indiscipline and black mail if not nibbed in the bud, spreads like cancer. Tomorrow, other boards should be ready to face much worse pressures for even more ridiculous demands. This situation may even force the boards to consider putting new clauses of conditions in the agreements, to safe guard their national interests with iron clad wordings.

5. Above all, the planned tour of the Bangladesh cricket team shall be arranged after clearance of double security checks by the BD government and the the ICC, with security cover equal to the head of the state. Believe me, this security may not even be available to Stuart Law, neither in BD nor any where else in the world. And the planned tour is going to be over in just few days with only three matches, it will not last even few weeks.

5. Last but not the least, this tour will tremendously help the cause of cricket in this part of the world. It will also prove the resolve of the world that terrorism threat can’t hold for ransom, the game of international cricket in Pakistan. In fact, this epoch making tour will highly contribute to the cause of peace in the world. These people must not forget that Pakistan stood like a rock before the terrorists, for more than a decade, so that this menace does
not spread to any other parts of the world. And many
Australian troops also gave their lives in Afghanistan, for the same cause. So, today if with the decision of an ill informed Australian, the terrorists gains strength, it will be a great betrayal with the cause, for which the Australian troops shed their blood.

6. So come on Bangladesh, let us give peace a chance through cricket and let the posterity record that Bangladesh was the first great nation which revived international cricket in Pakistan.

Pakistani police officer Shahzadi Gulfam, serving in a UN peace operation, has received the 2011 International Female Police Peacekeeper Award. Shahzadi holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and is the first Pakistani female officer to receive this award. She is deployed in the UN Mission in Timor-Leste as the UN Police (UNPOL) Team Leader in the Timor-Leste National Police Vulnerable Persons Unit in Dili.

Link:- http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/08/pakistani-female-cop-gets-award/

The deadly terrorism violence in Karachi has reached the stage where even to think that any civilian government can control the situation will be a folly. Now restoration of permanent peace will not be an easy task even if civilian government calls the armed forces to help Karachi back to normalcy.

However, Karachi can not and must not be left at the mercy of warmongers & terrorists  who are hell bent in their nefarious designs to make this part of Pakistan another case for the world community to interfere with an excuse they made in the case of Libya.

The situation in Karachi is not grave rather it is ultra grave. The solidarity of the country is not just threatened, it is under a direct attack.

As such, the government is urgently advised to immediately order a full fledged military operation or impose limited martial law, whichever is allowed under the constitutation (without wasting a moment) in the selected areas of Karachi, which are badly affected in the ongoing lawlessness. In this regard, the military authorities may be given a fixed time frame to achieve peace, like they did in Swat, by getting rid of all such criminals, responsible for the current lawlessness and also to make the city an arms free area.

 
A vast majority of the peace loving people have  welcomed the news of Indian Prime Minister’s invitation to the Pakistani leadership  to visit India, on the occasion of cricket world cup semi final match, between Pakistan and India, to be played at Mohali on 30 March, 2011. It is earnestly hoped that this meeting will not only be a harbinger of peace between the two neighboring nations, but will also be a huge performance incentive for both the cricket teams, playing what is being billed as ‘Mother of all matches’.
 
Moreover, it is hoped that this historic opportunity of meeting, between the two democratically elected prime ministers, will also be utilized as a turning point, for genuine and authentic progress towards peace and harmony, between 1.5 billion human beings of two nuclear armed neighbors. It must be absolutely clear to every person that both of us have no choice except peace, whether we accept this fact today or 100 years hence. However, movement towards peace needs taking small but meaningful steps.
 
In this regards, besides other major issues of Kashmir, water, Siachin, Sir-Creek and anti-terrorism cooperation, the following smaller issues may also be given due importance, to show tangible progress in relations between the two neighbors.
 
1. Visa regulations to be changed to allow visit of people to any city, without restrictions, in both the countries.
 
2. Trade between both the nations should be given top most priority.
 
3. Relatives of prisoners should be given preferential visas.
 
4. Exchange of cultural, educational, trade/business and sports teams should be accorded top priority, for strengthening the people to people bonds.
 
5. Indian cricket team must visit Pakistan immediately after the world cup, to play a series of T20 matches.
 
6. As promised earlier,  BCCI must use its influence on ICC, to restore visits of foreign teams to Pakistan. And to show its resolve, a T20 tournament should be held ASAP in Pakistan, to be played amongst Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka national or A teams.
 
7. Direct air, rail & road traffic to more Indian and Pakistani cities should be opened without delay. Moreover, people wanting to visit both the countries by car, may also be allowed to travel by own transport.
 
8. Telephone rates are very high between the two countries, which should be rationalized according to the international tariff.

9. All television channels news papers & magazines should be freely available in both the countries, without any restrictions. 

Wishing & praying for a historic success to peace and cricket,  on the occasion of this highly awaited sports event of the century, which demands declaring of a holiday in both the countries, for its people to enjoy the witnessing of this mega event, in company of  their near and dear ones. 

(I wrote this article exactly a year ago, is being reproduced for the lovers of the game, on the first anniversary of the world record, created by Sachin Tendulkar)

Many congratulations to Sachin Tendulkar for creating a unique world record, of scoring a double century in an innings of an ODI. It is a well-deserved honor earned by a batsman (Sachin Tendulkar ) adored by the followers of the game, transcending the geographical boundaries of their nations. Without doubt, the feats of Sachin are a testimony to the fact, that he is the greatest player, ever produced, by the glorious game of cricket.

In fact, cricket is truly a game of peace. It is the only game where player of one team, ties the shoe laces of the opponent member of the team. Under the circumstances, millions of cricket lovers of Pakistan and India have been denied, for more than sufficient gap of time, the pleasure of witnessing high class cricket duels between one of the finest cricketers, the game has ever produced.

We the cricket lovers, demand from both the governments and their respective cricket boards, to immediately restore cricketing ties between the two teams. Initially, we can play three tests five ODI’s and two T20 matches series in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai stadiums in the first available slot of time. Both the teams can also experimentally, play a night test match in the proposed series. Thus, turning a new leaf in the annuls of the game.

I am confident that, by the resumption of cricketing ties between Pakistan and India, a lot of animosity will also be removed in their current tension riddled ties. In this regard, it is very aptly said that the most ailing nations have developed a functional blindness to their own defects. They are not suffering because they can’t resolve their problems, but because they can’t see their problems.

The leadership of both the countries must realize that only peace and friendship, not war, can break the shackles of poverty and terrorism, so rampant in the sub-continent.

The above Islamic calligraphy is the art work of Mr. Saeed Ahmad Bodla, who is a renowned artist and a calligrapher. He is a living legend of Islamic art. He belongs to that group of calligraphers, whose forte is serious and consistent work. He reduces his work to a hand full of lines and a few shades of colours. And is considered to be one of the most significant proponents of modern Islamic calligraphy in the world.

He has used sixty three oriental scripts and twenty two mediums, in the calligraphic work of  Asma-al-Husna (99 Names of Allah), which in itself is a unique performance.

The Government of Pakistan, the Organization of Islamic Countries and the UNO, are strongly urged to separately honour this extremely awe-inspiring and exceptionally talented harbinger of peace, through art.

SZIC, has also published a book of Islamic Calligraphies of Mr. S. A. Bodla, titled ‘Sajda-tul-Qalam’.

Following is the list of Islamic Calligraphic Art Galleries displaying the work of this genius artist, called S. A. Bodla.

1. Islamic Art Gallery Donated by Saeed Ahmad Bodla.

• Punjab University Library, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan. www.pulibrary.edu.pk

2. Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery of S A Bodla.

• Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore – Pakistan. Email : szic@brain.net.pk; info@szic.pu.edu.pk

3. Bodla Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery,

• Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Peshawar University, Peshawar, Pakistan.

4. Pir Waris Shah Art Gallery of Saeed Ahmad Bodla,

• The first ever art gallery of spritual verses, established by Waris Parhya Jandiala Sherkhan, Sheikhupura, Pakistan.

The above calligraphy is the art work of Mr. Saeed Ahmad Bodla, who is a renowned artist and a calligrapher.

He is a living legend of Islamic art. He belongs to that group of calligraphers whose forte is serious and consistent work. He reduces his work to a hand full of lines and a few shades of colours. And is considered to be one of the most significant proponents of modern Islamic calligraphy in the world.

He holds the world record for using sixty three oriental scripts in the calligraphic work of  Asma-al-Husna (99 Names of Allah).

Moreover, Mr. S A Bodla has used 22 mediums in Asma-al-Husna series calligraphy which in itself is a unique performance.

The Government of Pakistan, the Organization of Islamic Countries and the UNO are strongly urged to separately honour this extremely awe-inspiring and exceptionally talented harbinger of peace through art.

SZIC, has also published a book of Islamic Calligraphies of Mr. S. A. Bodla, titled ‘Sajda-tul-Qalam’.

Following is the list of Islamic Calligraphic Art Galleries displaying the work of this genius artist called S. A. Bodla.

1. Islamic Art Gallery Donated by Saeed Ahmad Bodla.

    Punjab University Library,

    Quaid-e-Azam Campus,

    Lahore – Pakistan.

    www.pu.edu.pk

2. Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery of S A Bodla.

    Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center,

    University of the Punjab,

    Quaid-e-Azam Campus,

    Lahore – Pakistan.

    Email : info@szic.pu.edu.pk

3. Bodla Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery,

    Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre,

    Peshawar University,

    Peshawar – Pakistan.

The above calligraphy is the art work of Mr. Saeed Ahmad Bodla, who is a renowned artist and a calligrapher.

He is a living legend of Islamic art. He belongs to that group of calligraphers whose forte is serious and consistent work. He reduces his work to a hand full of lines and a few shades of colours. And is considered to be one of the most significant proponents of modern Islamic calligraphy in the world.

He holds the world record for using sixty three oriental scripts in the calligraphic work of  Asma-al-Husna (99 Names of Allah).

Moreover, Mr. S A Bodla has used 22 mediums in Asma-al-Husna series calligraphy which in itself is a unique performance.

The Government of Pakistan, the Organization of Islamic Countries and the UNO are strongly urged to separately honour this extremely awe-inspiring and exceptionally talented harbinger of peace through art.

SZIC, has also published a book of Islamic Calligraphies of Mr. S. A. Bodla, titled ‘Sajda-tul-Qalam’.

Following is the list of Islamic Calligraphic Art Galleries displaying the work of this genius artist called S. A. Bodla.

1. Islamic Art Gallery Donated by Saeed Ahmad Bodla.

Punjab University Library,

Quaid-e-Azam Campus,

Lahore – Pakistan.

www.pu.edu.pk

2. Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery of S A Bodla.

Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center,

University of the Punjab,

Quaid-e-Azam Campus,

Lahore – Pakistan.

Email : info@szic.pu.edu.pk

3. Bodla Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery,

Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre,

Peshawar University,

Peshawar – Pakistan.