Hot Pursuit Revolt

Fighter Pilots are without a doubt most highly-regarded positions in any air force. Only those who possess an exceptional academic record, physical fitness and a strong mental drive, make it to the jet pilot's seat.

They have to have optimal health to handle the physical demands of modern aerial warfare. Excellent heart condition is required, as g-forces have a tendency to suck blood away from the brain. Along with fitness and skill, its patriotism which completes the formula for any such Ace in the Sky.

While protecting all corners of the nations, their job requires of them to either attack enemy lands, or intercept an attack on home soil. Pilots are trained to employ specific tactics and maneuvers when they are under attack or chasing enemy fighters in a dog fight.

Imagine a pilot performing stressful maneuvers to gain advantage on the enemy, thousands of feet above ground with usual speeds twice that of sound. To state that; during action the fighter pilot is fittest of all human operators with the sharpest mind, will not be an exaggeration.

On 21st of February, Monday after noon two air force fighter pilots who were given orders to attack on enemy in an air-to-surface missile sortie, did not carry out their job. In fact while they were bound to drop bombs, they took off and landed on another country and requested asylum.

Q.and reason for their defect?

A. It was their own people, not enemy they were ordered to bomb.

News Item:

Two pilots, both colonels, took off from a base near Tripoli and decided to fly to Malta after being ordered to bomb anti-government protesters in Libya's second largest city of Benghazi
News at Reuters

Recently Libya is engulfed in widespread protests against the 41 year old rule of Muammar Gaddafi who holds a record for being the only "current non-royal leader with the longest ruling". If Gaddafi goes down now he will be placed third in the world history, behind Fidel castro of Cuba and Kim II Sung of North Korea. There is more to Gaddafi's legacy beyond moving in "female only" contingent of 40 guards and choosing to live in huge bedouin tents whenever he travels abroad or having a really funny sense of fashion. But somehow 41 years is way too much serving one's country, with defiance and total control.

Anti Gaddafi protestors which started from eastern Libya, has reportedly gained momentum towards its capital Tripoli, which was largely shut down on Monday. Schools, government offices and most stores were closed, except for a few bakeries, meantime armed members of pro-government organizations called "Revolutionary Committees" hunted for protesters.

A group of army officers have been reported to circulate a memo calling on all armed forces to join-in with people. The justice minister has resigned in condemnation of the "excessive use of violence" against protesters. And indeed there is excessive use of force as witnesses told media sources about jet planes and gunship helicopters dropping bombs area after another.

If you're bombing your own capital, it's really hard to see how you can survive and the two air force pilots who defected and flew off to Malta prove that these are infact Gaddafi's last and desperate acts.

After Tunisia and Egypt, perhaps future of Libya too will be decided in days to come, but at the moment, Gaddafi has come aggressively bloody on his own revolting people unlike Zain el abdine or Hosni Mubarak.

Viva la Vida - Valentine for everyone

Seldom on Sundays have I got the luxury to spoil myself? Today was such a lucky day, as I woke up to my phone ringing, it was already 3 pm. “woohaha, I had some sleep” I told myself.

“Hello beyg mian” I said in my usual morning deep cords (as she used to put it)

“You are still asleep??!” without a pause he continued “get off get up and get ready”

“why me man?” I said thinkng, this would turn him down.

“you will love it, I am coming in an hour, bitch!” he shouted on the top of his lungs and hung up.

Beyg is friend from university, and i love him. When he doesn’t say much about plans, this means only one thing; some surprise from beyond expectations.

Recently Beyg mian has gone through a rough emotioanal patch. Some serious matrimonial prospects have turned him down. On few ocassions he too had the previlege to say “no”. He belongs to a very small group of university friends, who hit bed everynight with their pillows only. I myself is a member of this elitest club, but Beyg’s case is different, kion kay “usay shadi bohat zor se arahi hay”.

Anyway an hour later and without the breakfast I find myself in his passenger seat, racing through karachi streets on a usual moderate Sunday traffic.

“whats the rush molvi saab?” I asked as I clinged on to the seat belt.

“we've to get there before maghrib” he said while criss crossing from lane to lane.

“This must be some molvi saab ka bayan I am sure” i said as the excitement escaped from the start till the end of my sentence.

“Chalo tou” he continued “then we shall go for zameer ansari’s chicken malai”

He almost got me tempted like a little kid, before we could finish any of our discussions ranging from Egyptians ousting Mubarak, Or Raymond Davis, we landed at a mosque near Gizri called masjid babus salam. We had already missed maghrib, so we prayed and assembled closely on the floor as the speech of Molana Abdus sattar started. While ladies had a separate arrangement on the first floor.

In his car months ago, Beyg had once tried to play a recorded bayan of this gentleman, and I am sure I must have turned on the radio or something. Finally I opened up to some words of enlightment. This 50 minute lecture which I heard few hours ago, is surprisingly up on the internet by now. Link is available:

Haya

The important highlight of his lecture was modesty and pudency while in the background molana put forth some burning questions related to social behaviors which may compromise family values and ethics. Despite the fact I have plans and a radio show due in less than 24 hours, to celeberate the international day for love, his speech was running parallel to me thinking a lot of other stuff. Eventhough I have been in radio business for more than 6 years now, I am reluctant to act like a social pandit or culutural guru. That doesn’t mean in my silence I don’t stand witness to whats been happening.

Back in our university days, when there was no source of income, saving from our pocket money to buy our juliets bunch of roses was a big ordeal. But it was a “must” that we each year would go to the whole sale market a night before valentine’s and pack our refregerators with kilos of Fresh Roses. Some we would happily sell to our friends on discounted price, and the most special bunch of two dozen would make our honeys smile. Other than Lavish dinners and car rentals there was no way on this planet earth that a room service would also add upto our budgets. Never! Partially because the girls were also chaste (subhanAllah kia din thay :), and they wanted to be sure of boys’ commitments too. And also Musharraf’s enlighment legislation had not been approved. Police (kay tullas) would randomly snap here and there and we could not even go to movies or walk on the beach.

Times have changed. Lets not go into the details, but this is for the first time in 3 years, that touch condamms has not placed their ads on our radio. For past three years in a row starting from roughly a month before valentine they would air commercials. Last time their jungle “chhoo lo zara khushi ki ahatt” was not a bad jungle. But anyway the urban youth infested with unnecessary mobile connections and musharraf’s ordinance in the background is shaping a new culture of independence, adventure and fun.

Poor molana was talking about “fahashh billboards” only and my head was all geared into action surrounding valentine. Frankly speaking, on couple of ocassions I could find myself rehearsing my opening lines for the show, and yes they were more “fahashh” than Iman ali on the street sign boards. That is perhaps the “motivation” of my friend mr.beyg to pull me here.

I am a muslim and yes there are certain visible traits of our society where I see young people in these times indulged in experimenting with a great deal of individual liberty and social freedom, making bad choices. No matter how far one goes having fun, while exploiting these newly acclaimed western lifestyle “brought to you by phone networks” “food chains” and “hollywood”; the reality is we still are allergic to bad reactions. One way or the other, I have seen people like Mr.Beyg repent and revert.

Be it international day of tolerance, or mothers day, its good to see special television or radio programs presenting special segments built around those subjects, but the foundation of our soceity and civilization has embedded the important value system in all of our souls. And the divine doctrines offer a balanced list to chose from the “Halal ways of satsifying our temptations”.

“Burp, Alhamdolillah…” said Mr Beyg after finishing off chicken malai.

And tonight I think after a along time I have these lines posted on the blog, which have nothing to do with my obsession for current affairs.

May you too find peace!

Egypt - Day 17th Of Protest

His speech was way below expectation for hundreds of thousands who gathered in public placesthroughout country, specially at the iconic Tahrir Square. They thought they would be celebrating the announcement of Hosni Mubarak's exit, as they anxiously waited for his national address.

The uproar after his 20 minute long speech could clearly be seen among the massive protesters who were chanting slogans and waving flags. His speech included promises to

1.transfer several powers to Vice President who was appointed on 1st Feb, and also
2.some constitutional amendments which would lead up-to September elections.

and most importantly despite anticipation and widespread rumor from media about him possible stepping down,
3.he being respectful of demands from the youth of Egypt; vowed to stay responsible for the matters involving governance of his country until elections due this year.

Lets see if this is acceptable for Egyptians, who after 18 days of protesting against a 30 year rule of Hosni, tonight again came close to feeling that tomorrow would bring new sun shining upon a civilization which takes pride in their 6000 year old history.

justice delayed is justice denied