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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

PTI UK PROTESTS AGAINST PRESIDENT ZARDARI'S VISIT IN BIRMINGHAM AUG 07

Rabia Zia                                     
PTI UK Coordinator

PTI UK held a protest in Birmingham on August 7th 2010 against President Zardari’s trip to Europe / UK using Pakistani taxpayers’ money. The Birmingham convention was to launch his son Bilawal Bhutto (later cancelled).  This trip came at a time when the people of Pakistan are facing crises due to severe flooding where many are still waiting for Government help.  A large amount of the taxpayers' money was spent to organize the event.
PTI UK Birmingham team put a lot of effort to organize the protest at such short notice. PTI UK's objective was to show solidarity with the people of Pakistan who feel disappointed at the President’s insenstive behaviour especially when the nation is suffering from a flood catastrophe where more than half a million people are trapped in NW Pakistan & 600,000 people remain completely cut off in the north of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (UN stats).  Also more than half a million people across the provinces have lost their homes.
The Birmingham convention was to launch Bilawal Bhutto’s career as an heir to the leadership of Pakistan’s People Party however after staunch criticism and anger from Pakistanis channelled through protests and media, this plan was dropped.  
Despite the taunts, fierce criticism and negative feedback from British Pakistanis, President Zardari continued with his appearance in Birmingham accompanied by Asifa Bhutto, Mr Qamar Zaman Kaira, Jahangir Badar etc.  The feelings of discontent were reinforced by an elderly Pathan, Mr Sardar Mohammed Shamim Khan, who was in the Convention Centre and who said that President Zardari’s speech incensed him so much that he spontaneously decided to unlace his size 10 shoes and hurl them at the President.  However due to the stage being at a distance from the audience, the shoes did not reach Mr Zardari. The Pathan gentleman was removed by the security guards and was later released without charge.
Soon after, the PPP stalwarts denied the shoe throwing incident even though it was captured by the British media including the Financial Times.  Furthermore, the transmission of Geo was blocked in few parts of Pakistan and copies of the Daily Jang and The News were burnt in Karachi by the PPP jiyalas just because the media published the story of shoe throwing incident.  PTI categorically condemns any attack on the media and any curbs as this is anti democratic and is an act of a dictatorship.
During his speech, President Zardari said that he was in the UK to develop trade links with the International community however there was only one official meeting at Downing Street with Prime Minister (PM) Cameron where he did not even succeed in making PM Cameron retract his accusations about Pakistan exporting terrorism.  In France he went to visit his property whilst a guest of the French Prime minister. 
President Zardari also said that the protestors outside the Convention centre were wasting their time.  This must be due to the fact that the PPP governmen does not value the importance of protests and demonstrations which are a democratic method of expressing public discontent.
PTI UK would like to thank all of the protestors who participated in the Birmingham protest under the PTI UK banner including the Birmingham PTI team (Tayyab, Ubaid, Saqib, Babar, Adnan, Ifzal, Ubaid Sahib, Khalil,  Ghazzanfar, Imran, Murawat Hussain, Hassan Asghar, Osama, Tahir, Irfan Butt).  We apologize for not mentioning others however we thank everyone for such a great turnout.

MODERATOR'S QUESTION: Was this right? Should a protest should have been held in another country where your President was visiting? Was throwing a shoe at him the right thing to do?

26 comments:

  1. If it was candidly declared offial visit then NO.This visit was a beging deal where the FM of the Country was also not there. Kaira was loitering around in private capacity and making the visit a shady one. If some one does not come up to the decorum of the office he holds has no right to claim any previliges.
    Has it made any effect on them / him. NO
    PTI has a better Forum in Pakistan but it seems they are sleeping to register any anguish.

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  2. I have to disagree... it was not the right thing. By throwing his shoes at the president Mr. Shamim exposed the level of intolerance that the world has been blaming us for. There are far more civilized ways to register your protest. The world already portrays Pakistanis as an uncivil nation and Mr.Shamim's action only validated these claims.

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  3. I share here 2 mails I have personally received:
    1-Majyd : It is our habit to react in a negative, emotional way when someone says or thinks negatively about us. The feeling of being insulted and upset is a choice, which is in our hands, it is not a certainty. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or thinks about you, as long as you think well of yourself, then you will not lose your inner stability, your cool, your inner peace, your power and your ability to respond positively. It’s easy isn’t it? No! Why? The key is not making the opinion of yourself dependent on the opinion of others. If you do so, it is dangerous. Don’t worry about what anyone thinks about you. A hundred people in your life are all thinking different things about you – you can never know exactly what anyone of them is thinking, because you can never be in someone else’s mind. And even if you did know, are they not allowed to have their opinion? You know who you are, you know your own inner qualities and specialties…don’t you?
    2- Saqib: Let me offer a tip here:

    Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes ;)

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  4. This was in bad taste.Protest,showing shoe et al. Shame on PTI.The money WASTED here had better use: the flood victims.
    Were you trying to copy the Iraqi who had thrown a shoe at Bush?THAT was different Madam Rabia. Iraq was invaded by Bush.
    Here, your party acted DISGRACEFULLY.

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  5. This supports my argument that one has to be worthy of an office that he/she holds through fair actions.
    From: Natasha Khan (Blackberry)
    To: Raza Syed
    Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 8:19 PM
    Subject: Re: Urgent Information Required
    President Zardari is not on an official state visit.

    Nathasha is official spokesperson of UK.She has confirmed officially.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I share a mail by Ghulam Khan:
    I fully support a small and relatively young political party has created the right impact by making the protests and bravo if they have thrown the shoe. Despite all the plea before his departure he did not listen and now closing the 2 channels and a visit to Sukkur in a day or 2 will not make a difference.
    Despite the holy month of Ramadan I smell something getting worst on the shabby political landscape.
    The current tragedy and its terrible after effects will need people with iron will and determination of the highest order of becoming an example to even move our best friend Saudi Arabia to consider giving only the amount of Zakat which will run into billions of Riyals beside that now the Saudi Government takes the interest on their deposits which are kept in foreign banks and use it on humanitarian work in the non muslim poor countries.
    Even we are willing to accept that as beggars are no choosers.
    Please watch in the next few days how much goods and money will be paid to Army welfare fund. Just because of the quality of leadership of our Chief of Staff of the highest order.
    Moreover army engineering aviation other logistics are so much organized that once they get the equipment and other donations in kind they will reach even to the most difficult part of the country for helping the helpless.
    In my humble opinion these are the most trying days and therefore no time for assembly sessions and large band of Ministers and members of Parliament just going for the photo opportunity.
    We need an interim government for at least 2 years of top technocrats and that to of not more than 10 to 12 ministers to oversee the entire process of rehabilitation. This is the time to decide otherwise those who were already living on 2 dollars a day income have lost everything and I am afraid of a civil war between have and have nots.
    The worst is not over and it is still to come.

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  7. even if he is not on an official visit he is still the president of Pakistan. And although I have supported PTI relentlessly in the past, i think it is about time that the PTI stop criticizing and complaining about everything and do something productive for a change.

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  8. Bravo Rida.Well said & supported. The action against Zardari was NOT as a Pakistan Citizen but President of the Country.
    PTI should have spent the money for flood victims and SHOWN BY EXAMPLE how to behave, NOT by coming down to this disgraceful level & exploiting a bad situation to FURTHER spoil out image in the world!

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  9. Political policy joke :
    New Political policy need to set for the citizens of Pakistan after the “””“United kingdom Shoe Attack (USA) “”””on “head of state “ that during the political address of any Pakistani Political leader no one should allowed to wear and carry the dangerous goods like ;
    1) All sorts of Shoes , flops , socks , capes , handkerchief, that can be result into face attack , and defamation of addressing person;(lol)
    2) All sorts of ladies groom items inclusive hair brush , mascara , lipstick and heals that may led into lethal attacks by unknown potential threat needs to ban on arrival and intend to participate into Political concerts.(heheheh)
    Poor brainless PAKIS....made a JOKE of their JOKE!
    :-)

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  10. AS LIKE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION THERE IS A FREEDOM OF CURSE IN WHATEVER WAY ONE FEELS LIKE..AS LONG AS IT IS'NT BELOW THE BELT..AND THE SHOE IS NODOUBT WORN BELOW THE BLET BUT IT FLURS ABOVE..

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  11. I fully support a small and relatively young political party has created the right impact by making the protests and bravo if they have thrown the shoe. Despite all the plea before his departure he did not listen and now closing the 2 channels and a visit to Sukkur in a day or 2 will not make a difference.
    Despite the holy month of Ramadan I smell something getting worst on the shabby political landscape.
    The current tragedy and its terrible after effects will need people with iron will and determination of the highest order of becoming an example to even move our best friend Saudi Arabia to consider giving only the amount of Zakat which will run into billions of Riyals beside that now the Saudi Government takes the interest on their deposits which are kept in foreign banks and use it on humanitarian work in the non muslim poor countries.
    Even we are willing to accept that as beggars are no choosers.
    Please watch in the next few days how much goods and money will be paid to Army welfare fund. Just because of the quality of leadership of our Chief of Staff of the highest order.
    Moreover army engineering aviation other logistics are so much organized that once they get the equipment and other donations in kind they will reach even to the most difficult part of the country for helping the helpless.
    In my humble opinion these are the most trying days and therefore no time for assembly sessions and large band of Ministers and members of Parliament just going for the photo opportunity.
    We need an interim government for at least 2 years of top technocrats and that to of not more than 10 to 12 ministers to oversee the entire process of rehabilitation. This is the time to decide otherwise those who were already living on 2 dollars a day income have lost everything and I am afraid of a civil war between have and have nots.
    The worst is not over and it is still to come.
    Regards
    GRK

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well ladies and gentlemen, I hereby register my protest on Z's visit to UK, if it makes any difference. Knowing our rulers, no amount of protests will ever make any difference. Can you think of a bigger protest than shoe throwing. Protest etc mater only to men with divinity, honor and ghairat. Do pour rulers have any such ingredient.
    Enjoy the inevitable rape by the democrats
    Zubair

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  13. The basic point is that it was not Zardari who got the shoe treatment but the president of Pakistan.It was in very bad taste.Did not expect this from PTI (supposed to be an educated party).You just don't wash your dirty linen in public.He may deserve more than this BUT do it in the privacy of your own country.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sharing a mail by Khurshid Anwar:
    I did not want to add my two bits to the unfortunate shoe throwing incident but the propaganda barrage unleashed by the PPP stalwarts leaves me no choice:

    There was a quarter page spread in the Nation on their statements. Half of them in a state of denial, the other half blaming the Sharif Brothers.

    The bearded Rasputin was the first off the blocks – “I know who is behind it”.

    Era ghaira natho khera – “This can be arranged for other leaders also”.

    This is not an empty threat. PPP is known for its violence in politics:

    - Ahmed Raza Kasuri was targeted 13 times, finally killing his father.
    - Justice Mushtaque was targeted, killing Ch. Zahoor Elahi.
    - A bomb blast took place at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital when Imran Khan was to accompany Lady Diana there.
    - And many more.

    The abominable snowman has also changed his statement and come out in defence of his leader. Two days ago he said he did not want to criticise any one, the Punjab government was doing a good job of flood relief. Now he says, Shahbaz Sharif's tour of the flooded areas is apolitical stunt.

    Is shakhs ka koi deen aman hai
    continued.......

    ReplyDelete
  15. .....continued...
    GEO has come out with a video of an interview with the shoe thrower. A middle aged, sober, bearded person, speaking Urdu and fluent English, saying that he had been looking forward to hear the president speak but got disgusted at the jovial, couldn’t-care-less manner in which Zardari interacted with Cameron, such behaviour despite Cameron’s statement in India and the conditions back home.

    He says that after hearing the president for a while, he said to the man next to him: “Is ko joote parrney chahien”. His companion said, keep quiet, they will make mince meat of you. He replied, “I will see who makes mince meat of me”, and stood up to throw the shoe but the intervention of his companion spoiled his aim.

    Obviously the man was acting in his personal capacity as a citizen of Pakistan.


    But what I do want to write about is the following:

    LONDON — British Foreign Office spokesperson Natasha Khan confirms that President Asif Ali Zardari was on a private visit to the United Kingdom and not an official tour.

    In an email interview to Pakistani journalist Mr. Reza Syed, editor of AwaazDaily.com, Ms. Khan answered two very specific questions:

    1) Is President Zardari on official State visit to the UK?

    2) If yes, then is British Govt paying towards the visit expenses? (PPP has already said it is paying)

    The British spokesperson was categorical. She replied back with a one-liner: “President Zardari is not on an official state visit.”

    Khurshid Anwer
    --

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  16. the throwing of shoe may seem like a "disgraceful" way to show one's displeasure at something, but do we have another choice??

    these politicians are sitting dead on Election Commission appointments. y? cuz if the appoint, the illegal degree holders will be called by EC.

    their hides have gotten thick, and nothing causes them any anguish or pain. dheet haddi inhe jasay logon ko kehtay hen.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am in complete support to shoe throwing - after all it was done to Bush also and we all enjoyed it , so what is the difference between one crook to another - Pakistanis are frustrated and disappointed with their Governemnt and leaders - how can one express if there is no way out - This depicts the level of respect Pakistani carries for Zardari or present government.

    I think it is a good start - keep on buddy !

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  18. I think ,when in England, do as the English do. Instead of shoes, they had better thrown eggs or tomatoes in the best Bwitish tradition.
    HH

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  19. besides, did the "president" was already dragging pakistan's name alongwith him. have you guys not read what was printed in UK's media??


    if he had any self pride, let alone pride of the country he represents, he shouldnt have gone in the first place. and if he did, he should have come back cutting short his "personal" visit. (it wasnt a state visit after all.)

    a person who is already fully drenched in mud/dirt cannot be harmed any more if someone is to drop his phlegm on him. same is the case here.

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  20. I am sorry for this un civility.
    Our people should try to me civil.
    There are better ways of showing anger.
    But this way?
    What did we prove?
    We are illeterate monkeys?

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  21. Dear Tanvir
    At least we STICK to what our religion...unlike you guys,drinking, womanizing, doing every thing your religion tells you NOT TO DO.
    As for U Farida, glad some one realized your worth!

    ReplyDelete
  22. hey, literate people of the world? did chidambaram not get "shooooooooooed" in the recent past?

    i guess there are some monkeys in our neighborhood too.

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  23. besides, how can we compare the nation that hurls shoes, and the nation that cuts down its own minorities........just like modi dada did in gujarat. all recorded.

    wah............what simplicity. commit a crime, and then let the reporters record what you have to say regarding. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think many people have killed their conscience or they are born conscience free.It is not very difficult to answer why people show their anger with unuseual ways because their voices are not been heard,their kiths & kins are suffering in pain again & again.There is the rule of Jungle,might is right.Only rich & powerful people have the right to live .NO Nation on earth would appreciate their presidents meaningless tour with lots of expenditures at this emergency time when His people are half dead,after loosing every thing they had.

    Let us think as grown up citizens withoout any party politics...that enough is enough ..Alah says in Holy Quraan that there comes cruel rulers on bad people ,the corrouption ,cheating & greediness is on the peak..our deeds go up & become the ,Azaab,bring natural disasters.so we must ask forgiveness minhaisalqwom.

    & take an oath that we are all one family let us take a fresh start.Firstly the system needs overhauling..We need another Khomeeni I think

    because we dont deserve for Qaed e Azam, we betrayed him.

    The amount of money which was spent on luxuries in UK by the president and his team did belong to the victims of flood in Pakistan..The foreign voluters are flying on the skies of Pakistan .bring them down before they take all your flesh & leave the scattred boons, inviting for another massive floods to wash the land .
    There are more enemies than friends of pakistan in Pakistan,the enemies are hard working guys ,they are not like zardari tribe ,collecting the wealth with unfairmeans ,& encraching the bases of their motherland.

    It is too bad to happen this way..Kashmir zindabaad,Pakistan Paendabaad.

    Prof.S.Iqbal

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  25. I share a nail from one Mr Khalid Husain:
    Ref moderators question if it was right to throw shoe at Zardari in England, or foreign land? Yes it was, and the PPP was half expecting something like this to happen at the meeting or they would not have banned entry of TV channels except the 'redoubtable' PTV, or cameras incl mobile phones.

    Our leaders, particulalry the of likes of Zardari and Sharifs, Musharraf and Altaf Husain and many others have setup their presence in England, France, US, Dubai, Switzerland and elswhere with homes, offices, factotums, and all the rest. Bilawal's coronation as PPP Chairman was to be in Birmingham not Karachi, Ratodero, Nawabshah or wherever in Pakistan the so called leaders come from.
    The above is not true for Indian, Iranian, Indonesian Sri Lankan, Malyasian and other leaders. It would be wrong fortheir compatriot to insult them on foreign soil, as Zardari was insulted by a Pakistani, in a gathering of PPP jiyalas who, however sadly, are Pakistanis.
    Pakistani leaders who, for all purposes, have foresaken their country and established permanent presence, and homes in foreign countries, are fair game to be tarred and feathered, or made target of shoes, anywhere and at any time, wherever in the world they may be holed up, or making merry.

    Joota Khappay!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete