ISLAMABAD:
As Raja Jahangir’s hunger strike against corruption entered its fifth day on Friday, eminent historian Mubarak Ali noted in a press release that Pakistan is facing challenges from corruption, lawlessness, terrorism, insecurity of life and property and increasing army expenditure, which deprives the common people of their basic rights.
The resources that should be spent on the provision of education and health facilities to the people of Pakistan are not being utilised on these sectors due to heavy expenditures on the military and prevailing corruption, the press release said.
Ali closed by saying that this protest comes at a time when our political parties and leaders are engaged in personal infighting and have shown little regard for public problems and deprivation, leaving the people they represent at the mercy of the elements.
Although Akthar’s blood sugar dropped 70 mmol/l on Thursday, he continued his strike on Friday and was in good spirits, interacting with a number of visitors and supporters at his camp. However, he has been forgetful, according to his doctor and some of his supporters, which is likely linked with his lack of food intake.
Around 30 members of Pakistan Youth Forum from different area of Pakistan arrived to show their support and a silent protest was also organised in Super Market, across the road from the protest camp, where supporters of the cause held a large banner and placards calling for the acceptance of Akhtar’s demands in their entirety.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (64)
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@naureen najib: Go ahead , Your agony is our-s ,
BOL K LUB AZAD HA'N TYRAY,plz just let the brave man kill himself ,what he is doing is ''suicide'',which is haram,.Anna Hazary had had unlimited people's support in his cause ,BUT .............................LETS find more finner way to fight for the cause it not only Mr .Akhtar agony its OURS too...................................
Wake up call for youth , Well Abdul
If he fasts for the right to make burqa compulsory for women, then a lot of people will come and support him !!
i happend to see some remarks from so called intellectuals who questioned the credibility of Raja Jahangir fast comparing it with Anna hazare's fast .Stating that the former have got a valid draft against corruption while the later is doing it without any draft as such so he should stop taking fast. Now for the kind information of the one who posted with GOOD INTENTION (AS HE IS REALLY AGAINST CORRUPTION) let me say that the intellectuals who attracted and inspired by the dedication,motivation, and commitement of Anna hazare formed that draft declaration . SO YOU COULD HAVE SUGGESTED OR CREATE SUCH A DRAFT DECLARATION INSTEAD OF POINTING AGAINST A NON-VIOLENT STRUGGLE FOR A NOBLE CAUSE . here i would like to suggest as Anna,s Hazare's anti-corruption draft is already there in the net you can take that along with an Act like "RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT " as passed by govt of India recently . which can work as a backbone for the Anti corruption draft as envisaged . thank you here is the link for India against corruption http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/
This is diff bet pak and India Your leader can afford to neglect peaceful protest result Bangledesh, Baloch problem, Taliban Please support such gesture , This help in transition to democray faster
He should break his hunger strike now. Pakistan doesn't care.
its fifth day!!!!!what an ignorance shown by our electronic media, no report about this hunger strike to get people and government know about it!!!!! how will people support such patriot when they are not aware about his strike!!!!
I would request akhtarsahib to break the fast as soon as possible. I just came to know today, after going through the Tribune. Please don't do this act as PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN are fast sleeping - PLEASE FOR GOD'S SAKE don't wake them up. They just don't care about any of their problem.
Shame on the so called free media to neglect a man with such a noble cause. Its the fifth day and nobody knows about him so how would people gather for his support?
Perhaps everyone of us who feels for this person should write to all these media conglomerates to have some dignity and give this event its due share of coverage
Pointless.
First of all no hunger strike can change a nation or government.Bangladesh was not liberated through hunger strike.Rosa Park did not bring revolution for black people going through hunger strike.Change did not come to Egypt due to Hunger strike even Pakistan did not come into being due to hunger strike.to tell the truth in Islam "marn barat,or bhook hartal " is against Islamic law.a person who starts a hunger strike knows well he will die if he doesn't eat or drink for a certain period, and he is aware he is taking his life ,and taking life by oneself is haram in Islam.Corruption and other practices in Pakistan is due to inherited feudal system and illiteracy rate ,common man here doesn't know his rights.The drop seen of this game will be that people will see a man dying before them like they see every day blown up in terrorist attack and after a day of mourning they will forget the incident.If they truly are in favor of the cause ,why dont they come out of their houses and join him on street.We send corrupt and murderers to the house by selecting them taking "kasht" going to polling station why dont we bring down them by not voting them.The method of bringing "change" doesn't lie in hunger strike.It's foolishness.
“Religion is the Opiate of the Masses.” so said Carl Marx. When it comes to Pak masses it is not just opium, it is cocaine or even heroine. That explains why Mr.Akhtar is not getting any response from the people in Pakistan. Religions were supposed to promote love, compassion, virtue, justice and brotherhood amongst the humans, but, sadly, history tells us a completely different story. In Pakistan, which is known as an ardently religious society, it is sad to see that the lawyers, the custodians of law, garland and shower rose petals on a self confessed murderer, who amasses support of hundreds of thousands all across the country. Unless and until the Pak's own "Satyagrahi" gets blessings and approval from Mullahs, he has a little chance of any success, but, that is not going to happen as extending support to him would be suicidal for Mullahs' own cosy existence. It will be a wonder if Mr. Akhtar is not pelted with stones!
There is always a means to an end. We all know the end we want: "end corruption", "educate people", "improve economy", etc etc. This guy is demanding the same end (end corruption), but has he figured out exactly HOW corruption can be ended?
I believe when Anna Hazaare went on hunger strike, he had very clear and specific demands (the means) to end corruption (the end).
"End Corruption" is a very broad and vague demand in itself. Such slogans will not bear fruit when the most important ingredient of 'how' is missing from them.
'How' will corruption end? What should be done? What policies? What bills? Be specific!
Hey. We need to get news agencies to publish this. I have sent out emails to washingtonpost and newyork times. Our mission right now is to propagate this news as much as we can. Lets not criticize and spread the word. If you know anyone who can get this story published in other newspapers, please do so. There is a spirit in all of our hearts which will rise like it did back in 1947. I will risk my life and fight for this cause. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
This is the cue guys. lets take it to the streets. This is the cue we had all been waiting for. NO MORE CORRUPTION AND POVERTY!!!
I read the first Article in the Tribune about his fast and want to know his condition and about the support he is getting and i kept on searching his name to know about the result from the internet and at last i found it again in "Tribune" Now my question why there is only one media (Tribune) which is concerned about corruption in Pakistan? Now at last I came to know that even though our blood and flesh are the same our thought processing is entirely different. from Pakistan. Pakistanis can be united only if there is, aggressive emotional speech to ignite blood and passion and there must be some scope for violence and war. Only then you will get support from the public & and only then Media will present it in such a way that they can get the TAM rating to sell their spots .So enmity, war, fight, verbal abusive are the ingredient that can pull the attention of the media and people in Pakistan. SO HOW CAN WE EXPECT A PEACEFUL CORRUPT FREE PAKISTAN INSHA ALLAH!!! Only god can save Pakistan where n emotion over rules intelligence and justice
Where is the meida hype. we should know that media in pakistan is the most corrupt of all. that is why this poor guy is gona to die wihtout any band baja..
The Gandhian philosophy is bound to fail in Pakistan since the same does not find place in its history books and moreover situation in this country is quite different as compared to India. But had the fast been undertaken on the ideology of Khilafat movement with corrupt threatened with dire consequences, many religious organisations along with their followers would have joined and made the politicians and corrupt run for cover.
God bless this man.
Insensitivity to Raja's hunger strike against corruption simply shows that we are all part of corruption.
Poor chap, how come almost 99% corrupt nation will support him (1% benefit of doubt). . Against themselves? :( . When there is no support or response from people for deaths in Baluchistan, KP, Sindh, Kashmir and Punjab, how one more death will cause an effect. .. Be realistic and educate people soul and minds... . What is the purpose of life, thing till the end and you will get the answers
I know Jhangir Sahab personally, a thorough gentleman. He has done struggle life long and this is not his first hunger strike. I visited his strike camp few years back when his demand was cutting the defense budget. India has a history of hunger strike as political weapon, Pakistan doesn't. I will be surprised if this catches up in media. I hope it would but I won't bet on it.
The intellectual discourse amongst Muslims in Pakistan has been extremely mutilated since the creation of the country. It was through state- sanctioned anti-Hindu ideology that the thought process of the entire nation was subverted. If we visit our past and read the ideas preached just a century ago, it is hard to believe where we have ended up now.
,....Dr Ezaj
How yoù can expect from a nation to follow the foot prints of Gandhi jee that came in to existence by ignoring his advice , Mr Akthar you have choosen a right path on a wrong place , Better end your strike at the earliest and save your life .
@Indian: For what? let them be like that, what they are now.....!
A protest of this nature needs a lot of work before it is undertaken. The most important task being to publicise and ensure national coverage and to ensure a high media profile. If this is the good mans fifth day and no one really knows of this - then its a waste.
The situation of corruption in India and Pakistan is, or shall I say was very different. Pakistan has been fighting against corruption already. If you do not agree, have a look at things again. Pakistan has National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which has uncovered many corruption cases many of which are in courts right now. India has none. Pakistani Supreme Court is putting all it's energies in fighting corruption, recent NICL case is a perfect example for this. Indian SC on the other hand hasn't shown as much of enthusiasm.Then you have a political leader called Imran Khan. All of his political campaign is based upon corruption by the biggies of Pakistani politics. Then, we've seen governments being dismissed in Pakistan on allegations of corruption. there are no such Examples in India.
Then there are differences between Anna and Raja. Anna was already a well-known social activist in India, he had had a few hunger strikes before this one. As far as Raja is concerned, I don't think he was as popular. Then Anna's hunger strike was as a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, and thus came in the support as he was using the methods used by Gandhi himself. For Raja, he was just trying to do what has already been done, copying Anna. And he can also not say he is following Gandhi, sice that will not get him much support here.
Even though Hazare will always be considered the pioneer (at least in our generation), the "united we stand, divided we fall" analogy is far far more necessary for non-violent populist movements. I believe Akhtar and Hazare need to join forces. Such a union could prove to be highly functional especially in our generation (a.k.a. the nuclear age) by re-enlivening more robust co-operatives from the past, such as the Gandhi-Jinnah friendship. Viva Hazare, Viva Akhtar!
@Observer: Beste Pakistanis of all over world & others,
We have to support activist like this, becua this is just the beginning of a very large something that going to happen. We have to get rid of the corrupt political elite of Pakistan.
Even though Hazare will always be considered the pioneer (at least in our generation), the "united we stand, divided we fall" analogy is far far more necessary for non-violent populist movements. I believe Hazare and Akhtar need to join forces. Perhaps they can re-ignite the Jinnah-Gandhi friendship which in our generation, aka the Nuclear age is becoming extremely imperative.
@munaza: In Pakistan, huge support in the streets will happen only if pan-Islamic causes, religion or blasphemy are involved.
Looks like Qadri, Zaid Hamid, Imran Khan can pull a better response.
This kind of fasting is blackmail and rabble-rousing. He should adopt constitutional methods as demonstrated by the Quaid. In India, all great secualarists and progressives have strongly condemned Anna Hazare and have made alternative suggestions such as legalization of corruption. Those innovative approaches will enable those people who have money to utlilize it for national develolpment through each person developing himself or herself.
I hate to say it but the bitter reality is that unlike India, the Pakistani society is not ready for a change. The educational level here is dismal and most are living a life to make the ends meet from morning till night. Whereas India is ready for change, their middle-class is much more aware of the World affairs and are much more & better educated. Their response to the anti-corruption campaign validates my premise, I suppose.
Requesting all Pakistanis to support him please. Politics have ruined Pakistan more than India. And we need a progressive and peaceful Pakistan for India to grow faster than it is currently.
A humble advice to Raja Jahangir Akhtar is that he should immediately break his hunger strike, have a full meal and enjoy life. He was copying Anna Hazare, but he should be aware that Anna has already failed in his mission, he was fooled by the Indian Government.
when something bad happens in our country,let it be suicide bombing, target killing or most importantly corruption, all the anchors in every news channel shows anxiety as if they are the only patriotic people left in this nation.I want to know if that is the case, why is Mr.Raja Jahngir Akhtar not allowed to share the screen or a little column on paper for his effort against corruption which in my sight much greater then just jumping off the seat, shouting as if someone even bothers to listen. I feel sorry but this is the very truth about our media.The all day talk show in almost every channel with same faces everyday is no more treated anything above the Indian soap serials. The person i referred to is on fast unto death against corruption, and has entered into 5th day of his fasting and only few people are aware of it.Therefore i appeal to every media person to please show support and coverage to this man and his cause who might not have much time left.Our country needs him. http://www.rajajahangir.blogspot.com/
Express Tribune is the only newspaper I have seen covering this...I guess its time for me to change my Dawn subscription...
The self righteous electronic media has completely ignored him; what a shame
where he is protesting why not the media giving him any coverage!
I think Anne Hazare was already famous before he start his strike, unlike Akhtar sahib. I hope that he breaks the fast or is arrested and force-fed.
we should support
I think should be promoted more. I didn't even know about this strike until I came across this article!
He is not getting any major support at all. That's sad.
unfortunately... hardly any one knows about his protest :(
Who cares about him? Anna Hazaree was supported by the corporate media at the behest of corporations whose aim is to control the Indian parliament through Lokpal.
it is too painful that anna hazarey got a huge enormous support by his public where as this Pakistani is dying for the cause unnoticed.if we keep on ignoring such selfless ppl then the demise is for sure
Great going. People should support him in this noble cause.
Sadly there is one thing the concept of doing a hunger strike has against it. That is, if your target audience is willing to wait it out and watch. Once a human goes without food long enough, they'll break down on their own and seek it out. A person's will can be overridden by their brain in that instinctual area. That's how starving humans end up willing to eat another human. Weirdly there's also a curious aspect that can come into play. A starving person will actually start craving things they have never eaten or even thought of eating when deficient enough in one area or another. Such an example as there are incidents of a starving human craving fish eyes. A hunger strike depends heavily on the target audience having a heart, feeling guilt due to their involvement of the decision and a lack of tolerance in watching suffering. Good luck. You're going to need it, it seems.
Sometimes you have to give your life for an act that may seem like mere symbolism. A defiant act of self punishment or struggle to spark forest fires of change.
Well done Mr. Akhtar! Your a true Jihadi or the Only Jihadi in Pakistan. Who believes in the Islami Concept of Jihad or Struggle. Thank god there are people with intuitive understanding of the teachings of the Prophet.
Pakistan ka beta kaisa ho? Raja Jahangir Jaisa Ho!
-Best wishes from Mumbai, India.
Within a day of Anna Hazare starting his fast whole country reacted to in millions of youngsters came on street i personally spent 3 days in freedom park shouting slogans against all political parties i guess Pakistanis don want to fight corruption.