Tuzk e Jalali: 200705

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For the sake of this city and it's citizens, I think it would be prudent for people to shift away from the blame game. The firing of even one bullet is a collective failure of the Political Parties, Political Activists, Intelligentsia, Thinkers, and all citizens of this city. Noone is to blame, but we all are.

It is the failure of us as a collective that we are not able to develop a political system clean of violence. It is our fault and our fault only. We will praise every nation we go to. But we will not adapt anything good. What better is there in the world than the place one calls home.

The CJ should return to Islamabad, his staying here will not change the status quo, but his going back might. It is a small chance, but when you are losing lives in an absolute anarchy situation you have to take chances.

In my capacity as a citizen of this city, which might not amount to much in anyone's eyes, but at the end of the day I as a citizen am all there is to things, I would request the CJ to return to Islamabad. It is a difficult decision since I have supported the CJ since Day 1. But if there is one iota of a chance of improving the situation it is this. And we must take it.

So much bloodshed. So much destruction. This vile lust for power and seats and glory. And what of the masses huddled in front of their televisions looking with horror at what we have become.

What of us? What of me? What of my friend Imran sitting in his balcony trying to catch of glimpse of his brother coming home? What of my colleage Ahmed whoes uncle was going for the rally? What of my friend Amina who lives in an apartment overlooking the carnage?

This is not Beirut. This is not Calcutta. This is not Bohemia. This is Karachi.

What have we become.

Friday - 23 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 21 Vaisakh 1929 - 11 May 2007

Have just come back from a very long drive through a very large portion of the city. Shahra e Faisal is closed at Tipu Sultan. Security personnel are visible. The city is uncharacteristically calm. The throughfares are solitary. Like the sudden calm during the deep breath before the plunge. But, a plunge into what? Tomorrow is a day when to quite an extent the future of our country will be decided. On the streets. For better or worse. And, for all we know, we don't know anything. Anything can happen. Anything may happen. It will effect us all. But, we do not know it at all.

It is like a building crashing overhead. It might crash on us, or it might now. The stakes are very high. The absolute lack of clarity or control very complete. Utter and absolute sense of impotence.

Waiting with baited breath as the future of my nation unfolds. Before my very eyes with me as a completely powerless bystander.

Tomorrow will tell.

Wednesday - 21 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 19 Vaisakh 1929 - 09 May 2007

It would seem that Jasmine Revolution will be hitting Karachi on Saturday. It was going to be different, but like all things in this great psychologically imbalanced city of Karachi it is not.

There are massive rallies and peaceful demonstrations planned both by the combined opposition parties who are supporting the visiting Chief Justice in his stand against the government and by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Though there is no apparent reason for problems but, be prepared.

As per the training in near anarchical situations that seem to be the norm in all large cities infested by humans. We all wait with baited breath.

Tuesday - 20 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 18 Vaisakh 1929 - 08 May 2007

Ok. Ok. I know, it is wrong, and evil, and sinful, and completely despicable. And I know what all of you will say. No, you should think about these things. Remember last time. Please don't forget how it effected your life. It nearly ruined your career. It destroyed your social life and our friendship was under strain because of your antics. And that I am the only son and I should be more involved in family and not spend all day long sitting in the window seat reading Hardy.

But, I dont care, it is not your decision, it is mine. And, I am not afraid to say it out loud, I will say it, and I will scream it from the top of very tall buildings where noone else can hear me.

I am in lust!

It is this cleaning guy; I swear I can not keep my eyes away from his face. I have just seem him today and yesterday. But, with the amount of staring that I have done and the fact that he actually looks at me now because he knows that I will be staring at him makes it better.

Wicked office lust politics. Jalal is learning so much.

Sunday - 18 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 16 Vaisakh 1929 - 06 May 2007

Ladies and Gentlement, Pakistan's coming of age party in full swing;

The Jasmine Revolution.

Saturday - 17 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 15 Vaisakh 1929 - 05 May 2007

It seems that Pakistan is in the midst of a revolution of sorts.

The Jasmine Revolution.

Non violent defiance of unconstitutional means. Slow and steady with the support of the general public. Apparently directed against known figures. But in reality, symbolizing the fact that we have indeed reached critical mass. Enough educated and self aware Pakistanis to finally raise their voice against what is wrong. By the volume of people present, it is clear that this process will not stop.

We have finally learnt how to demand and then to win through non violent means what is our right. The sky is the only limit.

I am happy; and hopeful.

Thursday - 15 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 13 Vaisakh 1929 - 03 May 2007

Well, if only I had the ability to take amazing pictures and some sort of an electronic device that allowed me to take as many pictures as I want. And another device that records everything I see in exactly the same way as I see it. Would love to relive things that I have done.

And, in addition to that, if I can also have the ability to eat and drink as much as I want and not exercise and still be absolutely delectable, fresh and strong.

So many things, so few mercies. What is man to do?

I seem to be going insane.

Wednesday - 14 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 12 Vaisakh 1929 - 02 May 2007

Ahhhhh. I love beauty. I just love it so very much that I can not for the love of God describe it in words. I am sure you all concur. But, wow!

It has come to my notice that a large number of people are trying very hard to destroy my impeccable reputation. I have seen comments, where people want to ask me how 'I would have spanked myself with leather tongs after pouring yougurt on myself' and other such statements that make the minds of my readers wander to a very unknown land where Jalal can not be what Jalal is!

Shame on you evil mongers for the light from the burning Sun shall shine through the thick clouds of lies and deceit and illuminate my yogurt drenched form using a leather tong with dexterity.

Tuesday - 13 Rabi us Sani 1428 - 11 Vaisakh 1929 - 01 May 2007

I hate going to work on mass public holidays. It is even worse when mine is the only department completely at work while the rest of the building contains less than 10 Kgs of living matter. And in this I am including the Chicken Sandwiches that we ate. I could have sworn that the muscles were still contracting as we ate them. Brings new meaning to the term fresh food.

And since we are on the topic of things that I hate, I hate driving to work and crossing only 4 cars where I have to travel for one hour through rush hour traffic every day. And I hate imbecilic motorcyclists who think that simply because the road is quite empty at 9 in the morning they can simply drive on all of the road rather than their own little bit of it. And yes, the bluberry topping on an absolutely amazing piece of cheesecake, I hate getting up at 8:15 in the morning on the 1st of frikking May 2007 to go to my vampiric office just so that my manager can show off to his boss's boss's boss that he is capable of running a team.

I hate stupid people. I hate deceitful people. I hate managers. I hate stupid, deceitful managers. Hence, the most natural post industrial state of the human being. Hating one's manager. That is where I am. Dont judge me because I know you are the same. The very very same. Or you are sleeping with you manager. Shame on you! How dare you destroy such a pure and noble relationship built on hatred, mistrust and revulsion by adding sex to it. You sicken me! Now go back to eating your Yogurt before I start to spank you with my leather tongs after pouring all that Yogurt on you!

تزک جلالی

Jalaluddin