Page 28 - Pakistan Link - March 23, 2018

P28 – PAKISTAN LINK – MARCH 23, 2018 COMMENTARY
MARCH23RD FROM P4 having played Dracula — and that 40 Haqqani network or the Taliban – initiative to positively and objec- allies had resolved to remain engaged
conditions are solvable with time. years ago. If people thought like this, also recently acknowledged as polit- tively portray Jinnah to the younger and carry forward the relationship
Faiz Ahmad Faiz whose famous lines then the Americans would object to ical entity by President Ghani, Gen- Pakistanis, a disillusioned nation, that had been on a downward trajec-
Ye daagh daagh ujaalaa, ye shab- Anthony Hopkins playing an Ameri- eral Bajwa reminded the audience. and ill-informed West. tory since the announcement of the
gaziida sahar can president after he acted in The Si- Lastly, we cannot allow internal “We feel proud. The film has US policy for Afghanistan and South
Vo intizaar thaa jis-kaa, ye vo sa- lence of the Lambs as a psychopathic political strife to disrupt Pakistan’s restored my faith in Pakistan,” James Asia in August 2017.
har to nahiiN, killer.” present upward trajectory. We have Sheera, a renowned overseas Paki- Official sources in Washington
Ye vo sahar to nahiiN jis-kii aar- Lee’s career went on from suffered a lot for blunders committed stani activist based in Britain and said that the desire to continue the
zu lekar strength to strength as he got star- by all the leading lights in the past. It’s former Mayor of Rugby, UK, told bilateral relationship was expressed
Chale the yaar ke mil-ja`egi ka- ring roles in some of the biggest Hol- time to rectify those mistakes and that Schofield. “We need the message to at Friday’s meeting. Pakistan felt the
hiiN na kahiN lywood blockbusters of all times like is what we are doing. - Daily Times be conveyed of what Jinnah stood need to request another meeting
wrote an edifying piece as Edi- The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. for: his liberal ideas, his respect for with Mr Pence because the last meet-
tor of Pakistan Times. The conclud- He was even singing and publishing JINNAH FROM P23 religious beliefs of minorities and his ing had “moved things forward,” said
ing paragraph sheds pessimism and songs. The Queen recognized him and weeps.” concern for women. Pakistan needs one source.
breeds optimism identical as do con- as one of the great British actors and The film was premiered at Cairo Jinnah now as much as 50 years ago.” Other sources noted that recent
flicting conditions in Pakistan today: knighted him. International Film Festival in the first “positive developments” also encour-
“There is nothing to be dis- Lee completed his autobiogra- week of December 1998. According PROPERTIES FROM P23 aged Pakistan to seek a meeting.
couraged about. Individuals, many phy, Tall, Dark and Gruesome, in1999 to a Radio Monte Carlo Report, “The offshore companies. According to They referred to several statements
of them distinguished in rank and and sent Dr Akbar Ahmed a copy in- film ‘ Jinnah ‘ in Cairo was a success the UK land registry record, Brad- from both US civil and military of-
tested in previous struggles, failed us scribed, ‘To Akbar Ahmed who gave and had its viewers. Its success, how- bury Resources Limited — an ficials, acknowledging that Pakistan
miserably in the fight for Pakistan. me the opportunity to portray a gi- ever, was inferior to the success won offshore company linked to Zulfi has taken “some positive steps” for
The failures that we have witnessed ant of history. With appreciation.’ In earlier by the film ‘ Gandhi. ‘ (UCF- Bukhari — owns stakes in 30 Enn- restoring peace to Afghanistan. US
and shall continue to witness in the the last section, ‘Jinnah,’ he put Dr PSA/NNI, December 6, 1998). ismore Gardens. The estimated officials noted that Pakistan had been
fight to realize the dream that Paki- Akbar’s name first on a list of people Rogers and Cowan, the inter- market value of the property can be encouraging the Taliban to partici-
stan stands for have also been and he thanked to ‘pay tribute’: ‘Execu- national media firm, arranged lim- gauged from the fact that a flat in pate in the reconciliation process, as
will be failures of individuals. Paki- tive Producer, Akbar Ahmed, a dis- ited release of “Jinnah” in December the Ennismore Gardens was sold for Washington desires.
stan came in spite of Khizar, and its tinguished Islamic scholar who was 1998 at two Laemmle theaters in Los 949,950 pounds in July 2008. “Statements from the US side
people will progress in spite of his the originator of the project, having Angeles. This was done to fulfill the Samina Durrani, mother-in-law have started to change. Pakistan too
successors.” worked on it for a decade. He was requirements for eligibility for Oscar of Punjab Chief Minister and new- is doing what it should have. Chan-
Faiz was wholly right. The fore- determined that we would fulfill our Award nominations. Movie Critic ly-elected President of ruling Paki- nels are more open now than before.
most challenge today is to inspire obligations’ (p. 300). Kevin Thomas wrote, “Jinnah illumi- stan Muslim League Mian Shahbaz There have been regular interactions
national self-belief and self-esteem, But his choicest words were re- nates the character and times of this Sharif, owns an expensive residen- between the two governments,” said
and to stage a comeback on the inter- served for the Quaid himself. Lee de- important but little-known world tial property in Central London. She a non-Pakistani diplomatic source
national stage, to rediscover the spirit clared that his role in the Jinnah film leader in an absorbing fashion---. A bought the property through Armani when asked to explain why Pakistan
and vision which animated the Paki- was his “own personal tribute to an sweeping historical epic centering on River Ltd, an offshore company in- felt the need to ask for this meeting.
stan Movement and the founding of extraordinary man and great states- the life of the founder of Pakistan, corporated in Bahamas, for 480,000 “It’s difficult not [to] focus on
the nation. We should also realize man … this Great Leader, the Father played with understated power and pounds in September 2002. The cur- anything…but Afghanis-tan,” said
that Americans today salute Lincoln of the Nation, who literally gave his great dignity by Christopher Lee. A rent value of the property can be well the non-Pakistani diplomatic source
for saving the union; they don’t retro- life for his country … whose image good example of a film that illumi- over a million pounds. Two flats of when asked what he thought was
spectively blame him for the damage has been so shamefully distorted nates a complex and vital period of the same size and on the same floor the focus of this meeting. “But they
others inflicted on America. by the ignorant and whose reputa- history while engaging us with its were sold for 1.080 million and must have also talked about bilateral
The movie Jinnah marks an ef- tion and achievements have been so human drama.” (Los Angeles Times, 1.425 million pounds in 2015 and relations and, as Pakistanis say, about
fort to serve this all-important goal. grossly maligned. May he truly rest in December 15, 1998) 2014, respectively. – Dawn making this relationship more multi-
Directed by Jamil Dehlavi, Jin- peace” (p. 302). The film was planned for in- faceted.”
nah is a 1998 movie about the found- ternational distribution in 1999, in- MUSIC FROM P22 But the source added that he was
er of Pakistan. Renowned scholar NATIONS FROM P7 cluding Pakistan and probably India. were particularly important reasons not in a position to say if this meeting
Ambassador Akbar Salahuddin and Egypt, stating that the “Un- Well, talking of India, how did “Jin- why respondents listened many could lead to “concrete results”.
Ahmed co-wrote the movie’s screen- marked Israeli war planes and he- nah” fare with the Indian viewers? times. The most important features “I would say, it was more of a
play. It stars the legendary English licopters have carried out dozens of The reaction appeared quite mixed were the song’s “melody”. review of progress and expression
actor Sir Christopher Lee in the titu- covert attacks against ISIS and other during the making and preliminary The more times people listened of good intentions than a substantial
lar role. Other costars include Shashi terrorist groups inside the Sinai.” The release of the movie. Vijay Dutta to their favorite song, the more the discussion on future plan of action,”
Kapoor, Richard Lintern, James Fox, Israeli fighter planes bear no Israeli writes in Hindustan Times (February listeners could hear it internally, the the source said.
Indira Verma, Maria Aitken, Shakeel, identifiers, carefully taking a circu- 12, 1997), “An overt and pernicious researchers said. Both Pakistani and congres-
and Talat Hussain. itous route from Israel to fly over attempt is obviously being made to “Listeners…should be able to sional sources, however, were more
English journalist Victoria Sinai. Like the Israelis, the Egyptian denigrate India and drag down its ‘hear’ large amounts of the song in open about the prime minister’s
Schofield is optimistic that “There is public is kept largely in the dark stature internationally by attacking their heads, potentially including all meeting with the lawmakers. Ac-
no doubt that the character of Jinnah about the extent of the ongoing co- and defaming Jawaharlal Nehru in a the instrumental and vocal sounds,” cording to them, the prime min-
as represented in this film will fire the operation between the two countries. film on Mohammed Ali Jinnah.” Conrad said. ister assured the lawmakers that
imagination of future Pakistanis, just However, the Egyptian Government “Jinnah” was also screened in “Pakistan’s close relations with China
as the film makers hoped. Though is confident that the people are so May 1998 in Bombay for selected ABBASI FROM P1 should not be a cause of concern for
the dramatic representation---Jinnah outraged by the bloodshed perpetrat- Indian intellectuals. Some of them meeting with Congressman Ted the US” as Islamabad “wants close
lives again not as the ‘villain’ as por- ed by ISIS that they are unlikely to be felt the film was anti-Indian. For- Yoho, chairman of the House Com- friendly ties with both China and the
trayed in Richard Attenborough’s upset by any disclosures. mer Bharatiya Janata Dal Leader mittee on Asia and the Pacific, and United States.”
film ‘Gandhi’ nor as the rather austere New alignments across the Madhu Deoleker told Rediff On The its ranking Democrat, Congressman Prime Minister Abbasi arrived
man who stares out from portraits Arab/Muslim world have led to some NeT, “The film highlights atrocities Brad Sherman. in Washington on Wednesday to be
hung throughout Pakistan---; instead unanticipated results. Last January, on Muslims during partition, while Like Mr Pence, the US law- with his elder sister — not Senator
the viewer sees him throughout his President Trump announced recog- there are hardly any scenes of atroci- makers also focused on the current Sadia Abbasi — who underwent a
personal and political struggles as a nition of Jerusalem as the capital of ties of Hindus. Moreover, Jinnah has situation in Afghanistan but they ex- disc-surgery at a Washington hospi-
man of integrity and principle, who Israel and instructed the State De- been painted as a hero which cannot pressed “their concern about China’s tal. - Dawn
laughs and weeps.” partment to move the US embassy be accepted by Indians.” (UCF-PSA growing influence in Pakistan” as
The movie is a labor of love of from Tel Aviv, reversing decades-old on the web, October 3, 1998). During well, sources told Dawn. ARREST FROM P11
Dr Akbar Ahmed, author, poet, film- US policy. Many had feared a severe the release in LFF, Schofield wrote While discussing bilateral rela- Col Naz responded that Rizvi lived
maker, playwright, and the leading backlash and violent reaction against that despite discomfort expressed by tions, the two lawmakers conveyed on donations.
light of dialogue of civilizations today. the decision across the Arab/Muslim the Indian viewers, they seemed to their concern about blasphemy cases “Then mention that he is being
As the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic world. Instead, the announcement be fascinated by the knowledge they against Christians in Pakistan, the financially supported by others!” the
Studies at the American University evoked only a tepid reaction that gained about Jinnah. sources added. judge exclaimed.
in Washington, DC he has emerged soon died down. In the United Na- “Jinnah” may not be a grandiose In the Pence-Abbasi meeting, The court also pointed out that
as the most balanced, learned and tions, the reaction was more force- affair garnering major awards yet it both sides “explained their perspec- the report did not answer the specific
original interpreters of Islam in its ful; however, a unanimous vote at already had made tremendous im- tives” on Afghanistan. The prime questions previously raised by the
engagement with the non-Muslim the Security Council against US rec- pact on its viewers - especially in the minister assured Mr Pence of Paki- court before ordering the ISI to sub-
world. “It is hard to exaggerate the ognition was vetoed by the US. How West. Christopher Lee (it was unfor- stan’s “sincere commitment” to efforts mit a new report within two weeks.
importance of this work...at a time far the discreet warming of relations tunate that he was not nominated for for peace in Afghanistan and also un- The court also ordered the at-
when myths and fantasies still stir between Arab countries and Israel an Oscar) magnificently portrays Jin- derlined “Pakistan’s successes” in the torney general to be present for the
up corporate fear between our com- moderated the reaction to the US nah the way he was -- honest, unhyp- war against terrorism, the sources next hearing.
munities,” says Dr Rowan Williams, recognition is difficult to judge. ocritical, fair, a giant statesman who said. Islamabad protests: Daily life in
former Archbishop of Canterbury. The new alliances in the Middle never “stooped low to conquer,” and “The prime minister assured the Islamabad was disrupted for 20 days
Until his death in June 2015, East have lesson for countries like a man who wept and was publicly in US leader that no other state wants in November 2017 by protesters be-
Sir Christopher Lee talked often and Pakistan where foreign policy seems anguish at the aftermath of the geno- peace in Afghanistan more than Pak- longing to religious parties, includ-
loudly with pride of what he con- to be static, mired in the political cide following 1947 partition. istan does, as it will be a direct ben- ing TLY, the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-
sidered his best performance in his landscape of the fifties. Jamil Dehlavi, whose other crit- eficiary of this peace,” said a source. Nabuwwat, and the Sunni Tehreek
movie career —as Mr Jinnah. ARMY FROM P15 ically acclaimed work is “The Blood Diplomatic observers in Wash- Pakistan (ST).
“Why don’t the Pakistanis un- world should know that the Afghan of Hussain” (Feature Film, 1980, 112 ington view the Pence-Abbasi meet- The agitators believed that dur-
derstand that we are here to pay Taliban or the Haqqani network are minutes), states, “Jinnah has been ing as a continuation of their talks on ing the passage of the Elections Act
tribute to the great man,” Lee would not regular armies. You can defeat made to set the records straight.” the sidelines of the UN General As- 2017, the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath
say with a hint of exasperation, Dr an army but not an ideologically The team of Akbar Ahmed and Jamil sembly in New York last year. was deliberately modified as part of
Ahmed recalls. “They object to my inspired non-state actor such as the Dehlavi has successfully taken the At that Sept 20 meeting, the two some conspiracy. The amendment
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