WAF statement on May 22 killings in Karachi

The violence in Karachi on May 22, 2012 that killed 11 people reminded many people of the firing that claimed nearly fifty lives on May 12, 2007 (about which I wrote ‘Eyewitness Karachi‘, originally published in The News on Sunday). Below, a statement from Women’s Action Forum (WAF) about the recent bloodshed: Women’s Action Forum [...]

Pakistan’s first ever Oscar: saving face – or losing it?

A slightly edited version of this article was published by Common Ground News on March 6, 2012 Pakistan’s first ever Oscar: saving face – or losing it? by Beena Sarwar BOSTON – Pakistan’s online community erupted in virtual cheers as Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy received an Academy Award for co-directing the Best Documentary (Short Subject), recently [...]

Personal Political: The tragedy of Karachi

My column for Hardnews India – written on Aug 25, 2011 (although much has happened since, this provides a context and an overview of the Karachi situation). Personal Political: The tragedy of Karachi Beena Sarwar “Will it be possible to write about the tragedy of Karachi…?” asked my editor. Possible, yes. Easy, no. In two words: turf [...]

Thoughts on media, Mumbai, ‘terrorism’

The violence in Karachi today has overshadowed what happened in Mumbai yesterday. More on that later. Meanwhile, here’s a comment I posted to my facebook page (relevant to Karachi situation too?): Salam Mumbai. Hope the damage is contained. And – I understand the addiction to ‘breaking’ news, but wish we could do it differently. If [...]

Gawaahi (Witness): testimonies of abuse, survival, resistance

Happy to get this email from fellow journalist and activist Naveen Naqvi: “I am happy to report that our site, Gawaahi.com is now online. Gawaahi.com aims to archive digital stories of abuse, survival and resistance. If you are interested in how we came about, please visit our site and read Gawaahi.com – our story. You can find more [...]

Egypt police then and now – remembering May 25, 2005

Egypt is the second biggest recipient of American aid and military hardware, long used by the Mubarak regime to brutalise the people. The Egyptian police are even more brutal than in Pakistan. Watching the situation now on Al Jazeera livestream, when the police have been forced to retreat before the might of the people, I [...]

Stand with PMA at doctors’ protest: Jan 31, 11.30 am, Karachi

PMA protest walk (update: postponed pending negotiations with government) From Pakistan Medical Association: Dear CIVIL SOCIETY Friends, Walk with Joint Action Committee of Doctors Monday, 31st January, 11.30am From PMA House to Karachi Press Club Wear Black For press release and details see Dr Sarwar blog

Prominent Indian citizens condemn violence in Kashmir on Eid Day, demand inquiry

In a press note released today, prominent Indian citizens have condemned violence in Kashmir on Eid Day and demanded an inquiry. Received from People’s Initiative on Jammu & Kashmir (c/o Confederation of Voluntary Associations, COVA, 20-4-10, Charminar Hyderabad, A.P. India; Ph:+91-40-24572984; Email: covanetwork@gmail.com Violence in Kashmir on Eid Day: Condemnation and Demand for Enquiry SEPT 13: We condemn strongly and unequivocally [...]

Karachi today

I head to office later – there’s a page to be made. My colleague Muniba is thrilled to find an open khoka on main Drigh Road (now called Shahra-e-Faisal) where she could buy cigarettes. “There were about 20 people around that khoka,” she chuckles. “You know us cigarette addicts, we’ll do anything to get a ciggie.” Sadly, yes.

Some thoughts on ‘Swat flogging video’

The ‘Swat flogging video’ has made headlines all over. For those who haven’t followed the issue or seen the video (warning, it’s graphic) check out Declan Walsh’s initial report on the issue in The Guardian, April 2, 2009 (two days before TV channels in Pakistan picked it up).