This is a sort of special return for me: many years ago I had walked the halls of NUML as a young captain studying Japanese as part of preparation for an army course in Japan. At that time, I could have not imagined that one day I will return to NUML as a scholar and teacher of literature. But this is one of those turns that life takes and sends one to unimagined journeys. This journey back to an institution that I have always admired is dear to me personally as well as professionally.

Over the years I have taught numerous American and international graduate students, but I have never interacted with any Pakistani students. Thus to return and teach at a Pakistani university is a first for me and also one of the most exciting turns in my life. I am so deeply excited about my class tomorrow that I cannot sleep and am writing this brief note at 2:00 A. M.

Besides teaching, this arrival has also put me back in touch with the characteristic hospitality of my Pakistani brothers and sisters that I had almost forgotten. As a scholar working in America, I am used to traveling for conferences and doing everything myself: it is part of the job and one does not expect much from one’s hosts.

But since I arrived here, I have experienced an undconditional welcome from everyone on NUML campus. From the top administrators to the security guards outside the hostel, each one of them have made me feel welcome and shown me, without words, that they are delighted that I am here and that they will do anything to make my stay comfortable. This does not only reflect the general functioning of NUML but also displays the general hospitality that our culture possesses and that does not usually get acknowledged.

So, on my first night at NUML, I am delighted to be here, am grateful for every kindness shown to me, and hope that I can provide the best possible service and training to NUML faculty and students.

More about Dr. Amina Yaqin, Special Issue Editor

I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Yaqin and the contributors in making this one of the best resources on Faiz.

Please visit our website and do take a look at the Table of Contents.

Much more information about the intended publication can be found on these Web pages:  http://blogs.univ-tlse2.fr/cwcomp/

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“At least 13 people were killed and several others injured in two blasts in Karachi’s Quaidabad and Qasba areas.” This was just the first report on violence I read, more was to follow throughout the day.  By midday Jamaat-i-Islami announced a boycott of the elections in Karachi and Hyderabad. Arif Alvi, a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf , held a press conference to report the rigging in his polling stations. Election Commission ordered a re-election in his constituency while Altaf Hussain, Chairman of MQM,  threatened to separate Karachi. There were also complains about the overall performance of Election Commission but at the end of the day Fakhruddin Ibrahim, Chief Election Commissioner, declared he was a happy man as ‘people had been empowered.’ And he is right as this is the best that could be achieved in the worst moments of Pakistan’s political history.

The new trend in Pakistani elections is a call to move forward, if the polls were violent they were also marked with an unprecedented enthusiasm. A new generation of 40 million voters participated and a majority of the old and new voters casted their votes against the status quo.  There is a spirit of change in the air and that spirit will prevail, ballot papers can be engineered but the new mindset will be hard to manipulate.

As for the results, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz  emerged as the party with majority votes and Nawaz Sharif is set to form his government in the province of Punjab and at the center. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has a sweeping majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and it will form its own government in the province. Awami National Party (ANP), the avatar of the old National Awami Party (NAP), led by a grandson of the Frontier Gandhi, Abdul Ghaffar Khan has been wiped out from the frontier province. Votes in Sindh are divided between urban and rural, Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Quomi Mahaz (MQM), the two parties representing these divides will  form a coalition government in the province.  Nationalist parties have won the majority of seats in Balochistan, the only province with a very low turnout of only 10%. The overall results clearly show that each province will have its own government, the age-old demand of provincial autonomy has been fulfilled this time without even demanding it. According to Mohammed Hanif’s article in The Guardian of May 13, 2013.

“Who needs a federation when you can have so much more fun doing things your own way. So in the post-election Pakistan, Khan will rule the north and shoot down American drones while discussing Scandinavian social welfare models with the Taliban. Sharif will rule in Punjab and the centre, try to do business with India and build more motorways all the while looking over his shoulder for generals looking at him. In the south, Bhutto’s decimated People’s party will keep ruling and keep saying that folks up north are stealing its water, destroying its social welfare programmes and secular legacy. And, in Balochistan…” Three days before the elections, Noam Chomsky gave his opinion on the restless province “There is a lot of exploitation of the rich resources [in Balochistan] which the locals are not gaining from. As long as this goes on, it is going to keep providing grounds for serious uprisings and insurgencies.”

Soon after the results, for a moment, the dream of a New Pakistan seemed shattered by  nightmares of a rigged republic with regional governments ready to secede. But those are the ghosts of a past election, Pakistan has come of age. After 6 and a half decades of its checkered history cessation, war with India and fear of a military coup has diminished as for the first time an elected government has completed its term and will be handing over power to the next.

“Election day showed the commitment of the people of Pakistan to democratic governance by overcoming militant violence. We saw a competitive process, with twice as many candidates as there were in 2008. While various aspects of the election process have improved, there were still shortcomings. It is important that the framework for elections is further developed, so that democracy is strengthened.”  Michael Gahler Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission said.

There were 62 reported election related security incidents on election day resulting in 64 deaths. Of the stations where the EU EOM was able to observe, polling was generally rated as satisfactory or good, but was however rated as poor or inadequate in 9% of stations visited. The ECP’s late decision to extend voting by one hour, to allow more opportunity to voters, caused confusion and was not officially announced on the ECP website. Counting was more negatively assessed by EU EOM observers.

The European Union EOM was joined by a delegation of three Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) acting as short-term observers and chaired by MEP Richard Howitt.

“The violence in the campaign and on election day was terrible, but must not overshadow the achievements of the process. The turnout in defiance of the threats against the process was an extraordinary vote of confidence in democracy itself. This election was a step forward, but one from which we call on all those elected to sustain their commitment to reforms, in the interests of good government for the people and good governance for the state.” Richard Howitt MEP.

The EU EOM will remain in country till 5 June to observe the tabulation of results and electoral dispute resolution mechanisms. The EU EOM will publish a final report, containing detailed recommendations, within two months of the conclusion of the electoral process.

Note to Editors:

The EU EOM is independent of the EU institutions and EU Member States. The EU EOM operates in accordance with the “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation” endorsed under the auspices of the United Nations in 2005.

For further information:

Press Officer Peter-Bastian Halberg +92 0303 777 6412

Deputy Press Officer Evan Eberle    +92 0303 777 6411

I remember the high days of his rule when he had sacked an elected leader and then consolidated his power to “save” Pakistan. That several generals have taken it upon themselves to “save” Pakistan from itself is no secret: that all of them had been shamelessly supported by United States, the so-called purveyor of democracy to the world is also no secret.

But this new shift in Pakistan, this new public accounting for one’s actions in a court of law is something new and refreshing. Yes, maybe there is some personal vendetta involved but at least it is a public and juridical vendetta and all the courts want is for Mr. Musharraf to finally learn that just like anyone else in his country, he too is subject to law and hence must account for his  actions. That the generals, some of whom Musharraf had himself promoted, have stood by and watched is also not new: we used to say that in the army the friendships last only until you leave through the gate. This is a prime example of that kind of loyalty: the very people that Mushrraf promoted and appeased are now the one’s standing by witnessing his daily humiliations.

Yes, he has a handful of followers but he is not a popular leader and has no public following and no amount of willing or asserting so by our great general would convince us otherwise.

On more thing that he also needs to account for is the Kargil debacle. As the chief of army staff, he was the  one who launched this ill-planned offensive that caused the deaths of so many of our soldiers. What made things even worse was the fact that these soldiers were abandoned by their own leader after the illegal offensive became public.

So, bring him to justice and let him answer for his actions!

“The targeted attacks on certain political parties and their supporters in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan are not only affecting these parties by distorting the playing field. In fact, every attack is an assault on the democratic process as a whole, and on the right of citizens to have an equal say in their governance. I welcome the efforts of Pakistan’s state authorities to provide security for the elections, and I urge all stakeholders to do everything within their means to stand up against the violence and provide for citizens to exercise their democratic rights without fear.” Said Chief Observer Michael Gahler.

During his visit Mr. Gahler met with provincial government officials, the election administration, political candidates and representatives from civil society from Khyber Pakthunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The EU EOM’s long-term methodology looks at several stages in the electoral process. The mission observes the elections in Islamabad, Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. While the EU EOM has not deployed any observers in Balochistan and FATA, the Chief Observer’s recent visits show the EU EOM’s interest in actively following what is happening in those areas.

Note to Editors:

The EU EOM is independent of EU Member States and other EU institutions. The EU EOM operates in accordance with the “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation” endorsed under the auspices of the United Nations in 2005.

For further information:

Press Officer Peter-Bastian Halberg +92 0303 777 6412

Deputy Press Officer Evan Eberle +92 0303 777 6411

South Asia Democracy Watch Presents

International Symposium on Democracy and the Eastern Scholarship

With a Focus on Allama Iqbal

The Dallas based group, South Asia Democracy Watch, will present a unique
international symposium “Democracy and the Eastern Scholarship” with a focus
on the thoughts and work of the noted poet and philosopher, Allama Iqbal on
Saturday May 18, 2013 in Garland, Texas.

The symposium, to be held in Holiday Inn (5110 N President George Bush Hwy,
Garland, TX 75040), will include American congressmen, a former ambassador,
international scholars, intellectuals and a renowned Ghazal maestro from
Pakistan who will sing Iqbal’s poetry and Ghazals of Urdu poets.

American congressmen from Dallas, Marc Vaesey will open the symposium with
his analysis of democracy in developing nations within the context of American
policies.

The symposium will include two keynote speakers. Known scholar and former
Ambassador of Iran to United Nations, Dr. Jafar Mahallati of Oberlin College, Ohio
will speak on interpretations of Iqbal’s work in Iran. Another Known scholar of
postcolonial literature at University of Oklahoma, Dr. Nyla Ali Khan will analyze
Iqbal’s notion of democracy in India and Pakistan.

Noted writer and poet Dr. Amanullah Khan will chair a panel discussion on
different insights into the poet-philosopher’s work. The University of North Texas
scholars, Dr. Masood Raja and Dr. Qaisar Abbas will speak on misinterpretations
of Iqbal today and the poet in the 21st century turmoil respectively. Additionally,
Urdu writer and poet Ms. Talmeez Fatima Burney will analyze Iqbal’s concept of

time in her presentation.

Popular music maestro of South Asia, Ustad Salamt Ali, who specializes in semi
classical ghazal will conclude the event with a colorful musical evening. He will
sing Iqbal’s poetry and Urdu ghazals along with his group of musicians.

Tickets for the symposium can be purchased for $20 and $100 per person which
will include the symposium, dinner and the music program. For more details
please visit the organization’s website: www. SADeW.org.