Where were you?

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Listening to Mushy’s speech last night, I tried to recall all the political upheavels in our country in my life-time. Here is a recollection of where I was and how it felt at that time. Share yours… :slight_smile:

Zulfiqar Bhutto:

Can’t recall much, except there were lots of street protests after the sham elections in 1977. My parents were anti-PPP, so when a heavily moustached Zia came on television to announce that he has imposed Martial Law, they were happy. There was a sense of relief that hangamay will stop. Two years later, in April 1979, Bhutto was executed. Whether you liked the man or not, its always a sombre thought that a political leader is hanged. Quite depressing, actually.

**Junejo Government: **

Poor dude was returning from a trip to Far-East, and before he’d landed on the airport, he was sacked, assemblies packed and for the first time, our nation heard the words: “58-2-B”. WTH is that!?! Junejo was a shareef aadmi. Packed up and moved back to Sindh without a peep. Remained graceful even after that… still miss his Sindhi accent and “mul-uk”. May he rest in peace.

General Zia:

At that time PTV was the only source of news, and on that August night, a family friend called to say “Zia’s 'plane has crashed!”. We immediately switched on the only television in our house and the whole family huddled together to watch with bated breath. They were reporting a plane accident near Bahawalpur. We followed all bits of news, till a sombre Ghulam Ishaq Khan came to address the nation… “hamaray sadr ka tayyara faza mein f’att giya hai”. Oh well, after 11 years of Zia rule, a life without Zia was hard to imagine. And then, of course, we had TV newscaster, Azhar Lodhi, who was crying like a baby during Zia’s jinaza.

First Benazir Govt:

We were taking a vacation in Nathiagali. My father, mother and I were walking on a nice scenic track, when suddenly our driver ran towards us and said “sir, BB ki government khatam ho gayee”. Incidentally, at that time my father (govt service) was dealing with some political chamchas of PPP at his work and was very pissed off at the heavy-handed manner of PPP wallahs, so he was immediately pleased. We immediately returned to Greens Hotel where we were staying. Television in the lobby was on, and all the guests were gathered around. Pretty much everyone was relieved. Again, the sad face Ghulam Ishaq Khan came on TV and made the announcement.

First Nawaz Sharif Govt:

Can’t recall exactly how it happed. But the goof-ball was such a moron, even though we supported him, it was a sense of relief that he is PM no more.

Second Benazir Govt:

Farooq Leghari came on television and announced that he has fired BB’s government. Writing was pretty much on the wall, leading up to the event, but still people had thought Leghari won’t do that to his mentor. Guess they were wrong. More rejoicing on the streets.

Second Nawaz Govt:

Total confusion on that October night. Someone called us to say, “Nawaz has fired the CnC”. Huh?? Then someone else called and said “Martial law lagg giya!!” Huh, again… Switched on the television, and no one was sure whats going on. By around 11 pm, it was beginning to get clear that NS has lost and Mushy is in. Mushy’s 'plane was about to land in Karachi. TV was not sure whats going on, till 1:30 am, when a uniformed Mushy came on the screen and announced that he is taking over. People were shown celebrating in the streets. People ALWAYS celebrate. Our nation misses no opportunity to eat mithai, it seems.

Mushy’s resignation:

Again, writing was on the wall, leading up to the actual announcement. There was confusion whether he will announce his resignation on tv or not. His speech announced for 1 pm (Pak time), which was mid-night California time. My father and mother are with me, and my mother is a big giant Musharaf fan. So, we all were watching Geo News (and alternating with ARY and PTV) leading up to the speech. I was doing some office work on my computer while paying scant attention to the actual speech. He was rambling on and on about how great he was and how well Pakistan was managed under him (“Get to it already, dude!”) and then he got to the point at hand, and announced his resignation. At that time, in anticipation, Geo had this split screen thingy going where as soon as he made the announcement, Geo was showing ppl celebrating. This got my mother even more pissed off, and I was just chuckling. Mushy was still going on and on, and I was saying “wrap it up, dude, I need to go to sleep”. Thankfully he finished. Around 1:15 am, my time, I said Good bye to my parents and went to sleep, while they were still discussing what the future holds for the country.

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If I remembered correctly in the morning we went to school smoothly and when we were coming back we were welcomed by the marching army on the roads.

Life abroad, only read about it in newspapers :~)

I am pretty sure he said “faza mai patt gaya” :smiley:
That time I was in Karachi, but I remember in one of his days we were enjoying Hill Park in Karachi and suddenly “news” spread thru streets that “be-pardgi pe pabandi lag gayee hai” whatever that meant, it was probably for announcers/dramas/news-anchors on TV.

I don’t remember exactly where I was but I remember those days of circus “its my turn now”, the musical chair. I also remember Nawaz Sharif declaring “khilafat” of sorts and when he was leaving for some visit abroad he was asked if he was going as Prime Minister or “Ameerul Momineen” :hehe:

He knew how to cash-in on religion just like Ziaul Haq, he even wanted to get support from Tablighi Jamaat who then refused to back him.

Bibi’s govts were no less disastrous. I don’t remember exactly when some Pakistani visiting from abroad got to Pakistan with intention to “invest” in country Asif Zardari then got hold of him put a shoe-bomb on him and got all the money. His dad Hakim Ali Zardari was some minister in Bibi’s (1st) govt then (I think). After marrying Bibi he found better way of minting money, by charging 10%.

Heard it on the desi radio while taking my son to swimming classes.

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3

Re: Where were you?

I was really not into politics so aside from the last 2 face changes I really dont remember much, but then I really did not

Zulfiqar Bhutto:

No recollection except for elders around me hopeful yet worried about situation in Pakistan

Junejo Government:

No recollection, I was in Pakistan that summer and arrived a few days before the topi drama but it was a non event. There were talks around me but I wads focused more on hanging with cousins and just having a good time.

General Zia:

I was at uni, came back to the fraternity house and guys told me hey Zia is gone, I switched over to news saw the news and changed it back to the usual MTV that was on in the house.

First Benazir Govt:

No real memories, I was not in Pakistan and found out a few days later I think.

First Nawaz Sharif Govt:

No real memories, I was not in pakistan and found out a few days later

Second Benazir Govt:

No real memories, I was not in Pakistan. I was glad she was gone.

Second Nawaz Govt:

I was on GS when I found out, and was concerned about what was going on. kuch postain marreen and that was it.

Mushy's resignation:

I was sleeping, woke up the next day, usual daily routine and all, and then thought h yeah he was going to address the nation, lets see what he said and found out he resigned.

Koi Piyaas Kaheen Reh Jaati Hay
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Zulfiqar Bhutto:

Don't remember anything, except that there used to be a popular PPP slogan against Mullas
Aj bari thand ae
halwa pori band ae
I was a little kid and remember seeing a bearded man on cycle behind us while i was sitting ina Tanga in lap of my father and i said, Aj bari thand ae, halwa pori band ae and the everyone burst into laughter.

Also remember that when talks of hanging bhutto were going on my parents used to say that it will cause riots and were worried.

*Junejo Government: *
very little recollection

Zia

We were playing cricket in our yard and my little cousin came shouting ZialulHaq mar giya.

First Benazir Govt

Was in college, PPP had good support and they were very sad while legas were happy.

First Nawaz Sharif Govt

Again we were in college, we listened to speech of GIK with tv room fully packed with students, in the end we were just laughing on his accent, like parey likey nujawanooN ko tixi chalaney per majboor ker diya giya

Secodn BB Gov

I had a bet with a friend that BB ill go in 2-1/2 year, she lasted less than that and he had to buy me a chargha.

Second Nawaz

Was in different

Mushy

Was at work, told by my secretary

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Re: Where were you?

I barely remember Junejo and Zia, have no clue what I was doing…

BB regime 1 - I was in Karachi, and with relatives who were PML[N] supporters, since we voted BB, they were rubbing it in.

NS regime 1 - No idea, because it was a chain of events, bawa dismissed the Govt, SC upheld it later, and then both resigned.

BB regime 2 - I think it happened late night, so was asleep. Found out the next day, and realized what a blood sucking vampire Farooq Leghari turned out to be.

NS regime 2 - Got to know from someone, whose dad was close to Mushahid Hussain right when it happened, and when others didnt know what was going on. I still remember that girl on PTV who came and went ‘The Nawaz Sharif Govt has beend dismissed’. Stayed up all night and listened to the famous address.

Mushy - Waiting for this for a loong time! I kinda figured out last night when the announcement for his address was made. However, I went to bed and woke up and checked the first thing on GEO and couldnt be more happier! I have also recieved some mubarakbaad phone calls, and PMs! Rejoice! God Bless Pakistan :jhanda:

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^And
:coolios:

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Zulfiqar Bhutto:

NO memories. Dad supported Bhutto and saw the picture of his hanging in (the propaganda book called) 'Daughter of the East' with his signatures when I was 4 or 5 yrs old.

*Junejo Government: *

No memories

General Zia:

We were vacationing in Karachi. I was too young to have any political opinions but I remember my sister coming upstairs into the lounge and telling me to turn on the TV as Zia was dead. My family seemed happy.

First Benazir Govt:

No memories.

First Nawaz Sharif Govt:

No memories.

Second Benazir Govt:

I was rather upset that BB had left but I was told that she was pretty corrupt. Apprently that turns out to be the real case. Was very mad at the burqa-on-TV policies when Chacha took over.

Second Nawaz Govt:

Very, very happy. Mushy came and aired Junoon's Bulleya uncensored the night he took over. Now that was awesome! It was so hip to watch Resham's midriff on PTV.

Mushy's resignation:

Very, very saddened. The guy was a true liberal and didn't get along too well at the end with the *jaahil *mob that is Pakistan.

8

Re: Where were you?

well GEO’s musheer by Habib Jalib has given a good taste to mush’s resignation

Putli Tamasha
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Re: Where were you?

^^ Trust GEO to give you intelligent political insights. I think its a true rikshawala/truckwalla channel.

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Re: Where were you?

^Yeah yeah instead the ultimate political enlightment will come from this guy

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Re: Where were you?

this guy is certifiable now...get him on some medication pronto

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Re: Where were you?

^^ I think its very immature that you're correlating MQM and Musharraf. That was a very small, although a highly questionable, aspect of his tenure.

It would be overly simplistic to hate Musharraf because of this. His positives over ride such mistakes he made.

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Re: Where were you?

plz dn't get me started on Mush, for it will spoit the mood, kisi au din pey utha rakho

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Re: Where were you?

Second Nawaz Govt:

i was waiting for my my favorite drama....but shutdown the entire broadcast....n Musharraf addressed the nation around midnight.

(thnX god my dad wasnt serving in govt at that time)

Mushy's resignation:

lol. i was sleeping...and my mom woke me up "k musharraf nay resign ker deya hai aur tum so rahi ho"

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haha! i just saw that on Geo! Jalib was amazing!

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Honestly, thats not true, especially after 2007 his association with MQM came out in true colors. I stopped supporting Mush after the May 12th massacre of Karachi.

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I was in class 8 then. There were summer vacations.

Karachi was receovering from its worst natural disaster (June 30, 1977 heavy rains caused deaths of more than 250 poeple, loss of property and cattles in the two rivers Malir and Lyari).

But that was by no means a sham elections. Although Bhutto was somewhat a democratic "dictator". But vast majority of the people voted for PPP. PNA's influence was limited to major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. The alliance itself was a "chocho ka murraba" religious parties uniting with socialists.

They ran a false movement against Bhutto. And after Bhuttos departure, they dispersed quickly.

I myself under influnence from family and the area was against Bhutto and took part in rallies against him. But now I regret that.

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Why do you regret that? Is it because "Martial Law" resulted from the rallies or some other reason?

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Zulfiqar Bhutto:

No recollection. Read & heard about it later from parents, relatives. One of my uncles was his huge supporter who used to refer to him in his conversations.

*Junejo Government: *

Was his name 'Abdul Qader Junejo' or 'Abdul Tarrar Junejo' or 'Abdul Tareq Junejo' something like that? Dont recall anything except for some relatives based in Sindh province talking about him but cannot recall what they talked about him.

General Zia:

I remember my father came to pick me from my friend's place. I hopped over in the car and excitedly just started to talk to tell him about all the fun I had had. Just as I uttered the first word. He told me to keep quiet. I did not understand why so I looked at my mother who was like, "Shhhh..." with her finger on the lips". It was then that my attention went to the sound of the radio. A BBC newscaster's telling the news of Zia's plane crash. I remember my father saying it was CIA (who did that) through 'aamon ki bucket'... whatever.

I also recall my father saying at a later stage that through some meetings Zia had had (I dont know where and with whom), he had expressed to them (the people he had had meetings with) of taking some decision upon his return to Pakistan. Some decision involving Pakistan's army. I dont know what it was. Immediately after that, he took that fatal flight.

First Benazir Govt:

Dont recall anything. Was a student and had no interest in politics.

First Nawaz Sharif Govt:

Same as above.

Second Benazir Govt:

No recollection.

Second Nawaz Govt:

Remember coming back from school and seeing on PTV them counting the votes which were majority of NS. My father called from work and I told him about it. He did not comment instead he said in a somewhat tough accent, "Okay, can I speak with your mother please?"

Oh no, the above, when he actually took the power.

When Musharraf imposed martial law in 1999, I was working and heard it from indian colleagues.

Mushy's resignation:

Read it on GS. Then turned on the TV but missed his speech.

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Re: Where were you?

Well the alliance was mockery. They made false claims of brining back prices to 1970 level and imposition of Islamic system overnight.

Moreover Bhutto did not mass rigged the polls. Although he did some facist acts then but even then he won the elections.