President Zardari: A Zealous Entertainer

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has in a recent article in the Washington Post claimed that his Government shall not turn back from reforming the situation in Pakistan. President Zardari’s self-delusion appears more menacing than the threat of terrorism. I was more amused than surprised to read President Zardari’s tall claims.

The opening lines of the article set the tone for what follows:
“When I was elected President more than a year ago, Pakistan was in grave condition, strained by terrorism and a ravaged economy.”
President Zardari seems to believe that Pakistan is no longer in a grave condition and economy has improved. He refers to the threat of terrorism with a sense of nostalgia. Click to continue…

‘Humor Censorship’ in Pakistan

One of the long standing criteria for distinguishing dictatorships from democracies was the degree of press freedoms. A free press is considered to represent the popular voice and keeps a tab on all branches of the Government. A recent directive by the Government of Pakistan has added a new dimension to this discourse. What about freedom of expression through email, blogs and text messages? How would you respond if your expression of humor is censored? For those who find this strange should thank their stars if they are not residing in Pakistan. And for those who are living in Pakistan remember this before you crack a joke next time: Pakistanis who send jokes about President Asif Zardari by text message, email or blog risk being arrested and given a 14-year prison sentence. Click to continue…