French Strikes Start to Hit Hard.

French strikes has started to hit the economy hard. With uninterrupted strikes over pension reforms, the situation in France is getting worse. If unions are determined to continue their protests then the government has also decided to move forward with controversial reforms. Government wants to increase the minimum age of retirement from 60 to 62 years. French people, however, are seriously resisting this measure.



The ongoing protests against the pension reforms has hit hard the oil industry. All of the 12 French refineries are shut down causing serious worries of the fuel shortage in the different parts of the country. Out of 12,500 petrol stations of the country, more than 100 petrol stations are finding it harder to maintain a balance between demand and supply.

According to a British media outlet, the strikes has caused main fuel pipeline to the Paris’s main Airport shut off. There are fears that if strikes continue then the nation’s main airport, Charles De Gaule, may run out of fuel next week. Spokesman of the “Aeroports de Paris” said that they are not worried about the fuel shortage, though he did not mention how long the fuel stocks are likely to last.



French public transport is also still on partial strike but France24, a news channel, observes that it has lost its momentum since Tuesday. However, disruptions in public transport are causing congestions in Paris. It takes more time to commute around the city.



With the inclusion of the students in protests against pension reforms, the movement has gained a new momentum. Around 300 secondary schools across the France have been affected by the strikes. In the city of Lyon, the police has to use tear gas and made 16 arrests. Clashes between students and the police, in other parts of France, are also reported.



Tomorrow, on Saturday, 16th October, unions have decided for another major strike in France. Another strike on 19th October has also been announced. Ongoing strikes of public transport has made many people to use bicycles in the Paris city to commute within the city. With strikes tend to continue and government unwilling to back down, it is still not clear how long will it continue.

Misunderstandings Between East And West.

Whenever there is discourse regarding Pakistan's tarnished image in the international world, Pakistani intellectuals, and ordinary people alike, hold Western media responsible for partial and one-sided reporting. It is believed that Western media maliciously emphasizes malevolent occurrences, and intentionally overlooks the true characteristics of the Pakistani nation. Since it is doom and gloom which makes headlines and breaking news, the prevailing conception of our society is just a half-truth. The other half of the truth is that Western media's behaviour is not one-sided; Pakistani media quite fairly reciprocates by ignoring some good news from Europe and America. Otherwise the nation would have been duly informed about the trial of Geert Wilders and the speech of the German president.

Geert Wilders, known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric, is a 47 year old Dutch politician and leader of the Freedom Party in the Netherlands. He considers Islam as a conservative religion which instigates violence amongst its followers. In 2008 he released a 17 minute long film called 'Fitna', in which images of suicide bombings were juxtaposed with the verses of Quran. Dutch television companies refused to air this short film, so it was released on the internet. He supports the banning of Quran, Burqa and the immigration of Muslims into the Netherlands.


In January 2009 Dutch judges decided to try Wilders for inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims. These judges noted that by attacking religious symbols of Islam he 'insulted Muslim believers," and that "In a democratic system, hate speech is considered to be so serious that it is in the general interest to draw a clear line". On Monday, October 4th, 2010, Wilders was brought into the court where he was charged with five instances of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims. The ruling is expected around November 4th. If found guilty, he could receive a prison sentence of up to one year.

Wilders' trial offers a multi-dimensional message to Muslims in general, and Pakistanis in particular. It is a unique example that a prominent Dutch politician, who was enjoying the role of kingmaker in parliament, is held answerable in the court for his hate-mongering activities. This trial reflects Dutch commitment to basic human rights, which includes the right of religion too, and it also indicates prevailing misunderstandings amongst European people about Islam. He successfully perceived public mood and, as a politician, vigorously portrayed their worries. Thus his Freedom Party, which had only nine seats in 2006, scored 24 seats in the 2010 elections, and emerged as the third popular party in the Netherlands.


Another important fact which needs to be noticed is that although many Dutch politicians and social leaders feared that Wilders' words could incite violence in society, no-one considered his thoughts about Islam were unfounded. Not a single voice amongst Dutch people was raised to say that Islam actually promotes love and peace. Whether one agrees or takes refuge from facing the fact, it is true that there exists a long list of misunderstandings and erroneous apprehensions between Muslims and Western people.


Whatever the nature of these misunderstandings regarding Islam and Pakistan, in European minds, we must consciously analyze if our actions are largely responsible for this. After the bloody events of nine-eleven, when Islam's image was slowly being associated with terrorism, our Islamic scholars did not express any serious interest in painting the real picture of the religion. On the other hand, our fellow Muslims, who continuously fail to integrate in host European states, also exhibited the same behaviour, and on occasions provided reasons to make this association permanent.


Two main factors can be held responsible for the ever-growing rift between Muslims and their host Western societies. First of all, most of the Muslim immigrants generally do not take any serious interest in the language and culture of the host society. While they work and live in the West, they behave as if they are still in their own country. The behaviour of our compatriots has made local people assume it is Islam which prohibits Muslim immigrants from integrating. Jose Luis Roberto, president of a relatively small political party in Spain, observes, "We don't want Muslims here who don't integrate and whose religion is incompatible with Spanish culture."


Secondly, in the recent past, large waves of immigrants from Muslim countries have caused a demographic shift, which is a matter of concern for some. This demographic change in European countries, which have low fertility rates, has also created some friction and fears. Islam is also thought to be too conservative to fit into secular European tradition. Some also fear that one day Muslims, who feel uncomfortable in adopting our values, may try to impose their culture. As crime rates are generally higher in areas where the Muslim population is in the majority, some people tend to associate transgression with Islam. Misrepresentation of Islamic teachings - by people like Geert Wilders - also adds fuel to the fire, and makes the common man think that Islam incites violence amongst its followers. Current alerts of terrorist attacks in Europe will not enhance our image in the West.


Amid alerts of terrorist attacks in Europe, Germany's president Christian Wulff warmly accepted Islam as a part of Germany. Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the country's reunification he said that alongside Christianity and Judaism, now 'Islam is also part of Germany'. In return he called for only three things which have nothing to do with the religious affiliations. He demanded that Muslims who prefer to stay aloof from the host society, 'adhere to the country's constitution, respect its way of life and learn the language'.


Dialogue can help to reduce differences. Our intelligentsia, religious leaders and media personalities need to understand that a great communication gap exists between East and West. There are mutual misunderstandings which demand a quick fix. Our religious scholars should play their role in denouncing terrorism, explain the true image of the religion and encourage immigrants living in the West to adjust to Western values. While seeking out the usual doom and gloom, our media should also notice whenever there is a good occurrence in the West. Instead of allowing the gulf to grow, bridging East with West is by far the better option.

Stop Cursing the Darkness and Light a Candle !

An impetuous and hasty nation are we, but over a time span of 63 years we have not yet determined the ingredients of our wish list. Since our independence in 1947 we are still to define our ultimate destination, not to mention mark the way to reaching that goal. We are like the voyager who knows not where he goes, yet travels hurriedly. We do not try to give meaning to our present; planning the future is always at the bottom of our agendas. Precious moments of our lives are passing, without us realizing the challenges of present and approaching times. If myopia dictates our policy makers and political brass, then the same malady is surely suffered by most change-seeking Pakistanis.


With the likely collision of two state institutions, judiciary and the government, lurking on the horizon, rumours of an eventual change are again in the air, which has left both opposition parties and people alike happy. Politicians awaiting their turn to plunder national resources, as a part of current opposition, are feeling more optimistic about having a share in the future government. The change, or demise of the ongoing government - which pushed corruption, inflation and nepotism to new heights - is a silver lining for ordinary people who find it hard to make ends meet.


It is true that the majority of people wish to see the back of an incumbent government, but it is also true that members of any successive democratic government will come from the same pool of leadership which seized and has held parliament since 2008. In simple words, any in-house change, or even fresh election, will return almost all the same faces to parliament. If current by-elections are any guide, then the next parliament is also expected to be a hung parliament. In any case, one thing is for sure, the current change means only a change of faces. The question therefore arises whether or not it is the change of persons in top jobs which we actually need. Will the departure of Zardari-led thugs solve our problems? Is there any guarantee that our future rulers will be any different from our current loathsome, corrupt, hoggishly self-centered, purblind, myopic leaders?


It is a palpable fact, and we must consciously realize it, that we have become hostage to a group of politicians, feudals, industrialists, bureaucrats and military generals. Individuals from this elite group show up in parliament to decide the fate of the nation. Thus, the change in this perspective will only mean that the names of the next pharaohs residing in the Presidential and Prime Ministerial houses will not be Asif Ali Zardari and Yousuf Raza Geelani. If we look at the political arena then it becomes very clear that if the next government is not more corrupt and dishonest, then at least it will equal the present government in looting the national wealth. Is it our fate that we will continue to allow exploitation of our national resources in the name of democracy? Are mothers in Pakistan giving birth to the slaves who will continue to be directed by a few families and their children? How long will we continue to be fooled by the delusion of change?


If the truth is unmasked then its face is extremely poignant and acrid. After six decades of repression we have become masochistic, and we enjoy being taken advantage of. On the eve of elections, we know very well that the politician in front of us is fraudulent and mendacious. His history reminds us that everything he is saying is anything but the truth. Going against our gut feelings, we not only believe him, but honour his mendacity with our valuable votes. When he starts grabbing the loaf of bread from our mouths, roof from our heads, and clothes from our bodies we start crying and accusing him of corruption and plunder. Honestly speaking, our parliamentarians and public representatives are innocent, since they do very honestly what they are made for.

Whether one agrees or not, our current government and members of parliament are the true and real representatives of our nation. Who do you consider a public representative? Someone who is authorised to represent his constituents. When people elect a representative, they actually define their own type of personality and character. For example, we can safely say about a parliamentarian who is elected on the ticket of a religious party, that the majority of his constituents are religious. To complain about our corrupt politicians is our favourite pastime and we never bother to look at our own image in the mirror. Let us ask a few questions about ourselves too. Is it not a fact that most of us prefer individual interests over national interests? And, is the one who puts the national interest first not considered to be an idiot by his fellow compatriots? Most of the people mix water in the milk, sometimes even that of dirty ponds, to increase their earnings. Are they not our Muslim brothers? Are those guys American citizens who deliberately sell expensive, counterfeit, life-saving drugs in our medical stores? Are the clerks, with their open palms, agents of Israel? Are the police, which also work as a personal force for MNAs and MPAs, a branch of villainous Blackwater? Were those mullahs, who provoke sectarian sentiments, trained and educated by Britain?


Literally, Pakistan means "a land of pure," but the decisive majority of its citizens is anything but. We have imprisoned ourselves in individual and personal cells. Our objectives and thoughts get strangled within the boundaries of limited personal space. Consciously or unconsciously, we are not only pulling each other's legs, but also cutting each other's throats. Our politicians and leaders are doing the same. They are just exposing our national character, which we have nurtured over the past six decades. In the presence of such pungent and acrid fact, our current politicians and leaders are the best we can ever have!


In its unit, the biggest ocean is nothing but a drop of salty water. As oceans are formed with the assemblage of lots of tiny drops, so are nations made by the amalgamation of individuals. The character of the majority of people reflects the national character. Simply speaking, change and refinement of a nation starts from our own personality, at a very micro level. If we really wish to change the outlook of Pakistan, we have to change ourselves first. Saying "no" to imposed rules, we have to empower sincere, skilled, and honest people from amongst ourselves, in our towns and cities, and entrust them with the responsibility of solving our social and political problems. The real change will come when the real representatives of the nation will be behind the wheel, steering the country.


It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Once one candle is lit the journey of illumination will follow. The everlasting change will only germinate from our streets, towns and cities, materialising the dreams of a prosperous and flourishing Pakistan. Otherwise, be perfectly clear, any change in the current government will only bring in new masters, with their empty coffers!

( This article is also published at The Statesman  http://www.statesman.com.pk/ on October 7, 2010 )

Nuit Blanche Paris 2010; A Time To Say 'No' To Sweet Dreams.

Nuit Blanche is a night which worth saying no to sleep. The festival of Nuit Blanche in 2010 was celebrated on 2nd of October. According to estimates, around one million people participated in different activities and performances to make the white night a merry and cheerful event. Indeed, I am talking about Paris; the city of colors and lights.

Parisians, as citizens of Paris take pleasure to introduce themselves, know very well how to appreciate finer details of life and they are very passionate about art and history. On the eve of Nuit Blanche, the city offered a wide range of performances, shows and activities for its art lovers population and visitors alike!

In very simple words, Nuit Blanche means a white night. However, you can also call it 'sleepless night' or 'light night'. Since most of the performances and programs end after the midnight, one can rightly say it as a 'sleepless night'.



Nuit Blanche is a once-in-year night long extravaganza which offers an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of different forms of art at no price. Entry to most of the museums and art galleries is free. The transport is available is available all the night so there is no problem of commuting in the city.

The idea of this all night festival is a brainchild of Bertrand Belanoe, who started this event in 2002 to provide an opportunity to people to enjoy and have a fun without a price tag. Cinemas and Swimming pools remain open all the night. Since Nuit Blanche fell on Saturday, people did not hesitate to enjoy the offerings of the night as they could sleep next day.

In the museums and art galleries, the festival was celebrated with some special performances. In Pompidou Center, an art gallery and library, performances started from 0800 p.m. and last performance was scheduled to start at 0100 a.m.

When I visited the library section of Pompidou Center, Magali Desbazeille and Siegfried Canto were performing their eye-catching performance , which included interesting demonstrations using books and papers. Didier Aschour was the next artist to perform 'Pendulum Music' at 10 p.m. however I preferred to move out and see what is happening in the neighborhood.



Splendid and majestic building of Hotel de Ville, or Municipality of Paris, was lightened up with pleasant and different colorful lights. On its front, a phrase proclaiming "Love the Differences" was marked in twenty languages to appreciate the value of pluralism. Surprisingly the glorious Cathedral of Notre-Dam was not illuminated. However, in illuminated neighborhood, it gave a very noble and dignified look. In Musée Guimet ( Museum of Guimet ), the work of Chinese artist Chen Zen was under display.

Artists and performers were displaying their talents in the streets, too. At one place I saw a little caravan of three big carts, of the size of normal vans. Designs and structure were quite creative and innovative, which used wood and metallic components to build them up. All performers were dressed in similar dresses. Some of them were sitting, performing, shouting on the vehicles, while others were busy in driving them with manual force. Onlookers, having their lips adorned with smiles and happiness, walking along the carriages and making pictures and movies.

One night was hardly enough to accumulate to appreciate what an enriched city had offered. I realized it around midnight and decided that next time I would be better prepared to explore this 'white night' in a greater detail.

Blog From Paris; The Best Blog of Paris