Updates from Pakistan!

I just arrived in this magnificent city days ago and while it may have only been two years since my last visit, a lot has changed. And im not surprised! The story of our economic prosperity has yet to reach the Western media, so allow me to tell it :)

There are so many trade centers and shopping plazas here that parking has become a major issue. So are the countless cars on the streets of many of Pakistan's cities. The new money that's flooded homes and businesses is reflected most evidently in cars and clothing.

I am still trying to fathom how Islamabad, the capitol, is getting the world's first 7 star hotel. It's actually 5 stars for technical reasons but how is this possible in Pakistan, and why Islamabad of all cities?

Anyway, on to some socio-political issues. Benazir's assassination has caused obvious political turmoil, but what the Western media has yet to report is that this time around, a lot more has been affected. With the rioting and violence that ensued shortly thereafter, many people have experienced a tremendous loss in amount of gas, water and electricity to their homes. Pipes carrying either of these commodities were damaged in the riots (yes, they are above ground, not underground like in many other parts of the world), so even doing a simple thing like writing an email has been troublesome. Wedding season is in full swing and people have had to rent alternative power supplies which run on petrol. Prices of candles have gone up nearly 300%. Wheat is in shortage, so bread is expensive too. People are basically waiting and hoping and praying for rain so the dams produce something, anything.

And this is the story for everyone. The rich can minimize it because their money can afford them that level of comfort, but even they are affected. My aunt's husband is now retired, but was the highest-ranking official in the federal government's law department/ministry, and they have barely had hot water to cook, bathe, etc. for the past month.

The general sentiment in the public has been overwhelmingly consistent regarding Benazir's death: She may not have been the country's best leader, but she was extraordinarily brave, courageous and very charismatic. She was at least one option for the masses. Scotland Yard is investigating but everyone knows it's a farce. Elections have been delayed. People are trying to get by.

I have been taking lots of pictures, so I will try to upload those as well, but the portrait I can paint without over-generalizing is that poverty still affects so many people. Most of the aid from the West has gone straight to the army with nearly zero accountability. Testimony to the enrichment and consolidation of the army in civilian life is the presence of grandiose housing societies/colonies for senior army officers. Their presence in NGOs cannot be underscored either. What work does an armed forces person have in civil society? Stay on the borders, please! Standing at a traffic light makes one realize how fortunate those of us are who have the means to lead a decent life. If only others were given that chance too.

I will try to update soon, and might add minor addendums to previous posts in future posts.
As always, please pray.

Event: TOUR FOR A JUST FOREIGN POLICY IN IRAN AND IRAQ - 11/8

Please forward widely:

PERPETUAL WAR FOR PEACE?
TOUR FOR A JUST FOREIGN POLICY IN IRAN AND IRAQ
IS COMING TO BROOKLYN COLLEGE!

THIS IS THE TOUR'S ONLY NYC STOP!

The tour is crossing the Northeast, bringing critical
analysis and first hand accounts to communities ready
for a change in U.S. foreign policy. Join us to
discuss the current situation in Iraq and debunk
Washington's Iran policy. Come experience photos from
Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon that bring alive the urgency
of ending and avoiding war by award winning
photojournalists.
Visit: www.justforeignpolicy.org/tour

Wednesday, November 8th, 12pm
Brooklyn College Student Center (SUBO), Penthouse (top
floor)
Featuring:

RAED JARRAR, Iraq Project Director at Global Exchange,
architect, and blogger
http://www.globalexchange.org

ANTONIA JUHASZ, author of The Bush Agenda: Invading
the World, One Economy at a Time and scholar at the
Institute for Policy Studies
www.thebushagenda.net

ROSTAM POURZAL, President of the U.S. branch of the
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention
in Iran
www.campaigniran.org

Photo exhibit featuring:

LYNSEY ADDARIO, acclaimed photojournalist documenting
conflict, human interest stories, and people
throughout the Middle East and Africa.
www.lynseyaddario.com

ANDREW STERN, award winning photojournalist committed
to documenting critical social and political issues.
http://digitalrailroad.net/astern

RAMIN TALAIE, widely published photojournalist from
Iran.
http://ramintalaie.com/

MOHAMMAD KHEIRKHAH, photojournalist from Iran sharing
images of Iran.
http://documentiran.com/

For more information, please visit
www.justforeignpolicy.org/tour


Sponsored by:
United Students League at Brooklyn College (and others
TBA)
TRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/info/aboutbc/index.php?link=travel
CAMPUS MAP (building 13 on the map):
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/campmap/
contact: heather.squire@gmail.com/347.952.6786

and

Just Foreign Policy
tour@justforeignpolicy.org
202.448.2898

Carnegie Council event: Alberto J. Mora - 11/2

SPECIAL INVITATION:
Alberto J. Mora, November 2, 5:30 PM

October 26, 2006

The Carnegie Council presents: Dan Rather Introducing Alberto J. Mora speaking on Ethical Considerations: Law, Foreign Policy, and the War on Terror On Thursday, November 2, 2006 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM As U.S. Navy general counsel, Alberto Mora battled with military and civilian leaders over U.S. policy regarding the treatment of detainees held as part of the war on terror. Alerted by Navy investigators to reports that detainees at Guantanamo Bay were being subjected to cruel and unlawful interrogation practices, he tried to halt policies of authorizing cruelty toward terror suspects. Mr. Mora challenges all Americans to consider the question: How can we maintain our national values as we fight this war on terror? Alberto Mora served as General Counsel to the Department of the Navy in Washington, DC from July 2001 until December 2005. Upon returning to the private sector, he joined Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in January 2006 as Vice President and General Counsel for the International Division. He currently resides in Bentonville, AR. Please RSVP to Melissa Semeniuk at msemeniuk@cceia.org or call 212-838-4120. Location: Carnegie Council, 170 East 64th Street, New York. This event is open to the public free of charge, made possible by your generous contributions. For more information visit our website at www.carnegiecouncil.org.

Student Conference on US Affairs (SCUSA): “Challenges to Security: Extremism, Resources and Globalization” - 11/8-11/11

SCUSA 58: A Foreign Affairs Conference

(Wednesday, November 8- Saturday, November 11; Registration deadline October 17)

Represent your country, discuss and debate foreign policy and experience the life of a U.S. Army cadet as an international delegate to the prestigious, annual Student Conference on United States Affairs (SCUSA) at the West Point Military Academy. Since 1949, SCUSA has brought together an outstanding group of students to debate major issues of American foreign policy. The theme of SCUSA 58 is “Challenges to Security: Extremism, Resources and Globalization.”

Metro International recruits a special delegation of international students to enrich the conference with their various national and cultural perspectives. Selection is competitive and based on an application and brief essay. More information and the application are now available on Metro’s website.

DATE: Wednesday, November 16^th, 2005 - Saturday, November 11th

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 17th

PLACE: United States Military Academy, West Point, New York

COST: $85.00 per person (includes meals and lodging) + $20.00 round-trip transportation from NYC.

TO READ THE BROCHURE:

http://www.metrointl.org/calendar/documents/SCUSAbrochure2006.pdf

TO APPLY: Download the application form at:

http://www.metrointl.org/calendar/documents/SCUSAApplication06.pdf

INFO: Contact Alison Keohane at 212-431-1195 x24 or akeohane@metrointl.org