Author: Nafisa Hoodbhoy

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: Violence on campus was a gift from the right wing, and the politics of violence were introduced by the same students once they graduated. This was the consensus among speakers on Tuesday at the launch of journalist Nafeesa Hoodbhoy’s book, ‘Aboard the Democracy Train: A journey Through Pakistan’s Last Decade of Democracy’.

The gathering included many who once were students, later political activists and journalists. Decades later, they were sharing memories of their days of struggling against brutal and tyrannical regimes.

“There are few books which chronicle political and journalistic struggles in Pakistan, but this book is a continuation of Zameer Niazi’s books on the press which were authored around the end of the Ziaul Haq era,” said journalist Zahid Hussain.

Strengthening Participatory Organisations (SPO) Chief Executive Naseer Memon called the book an absorbing account with a living storyline of the tumultuous ‘80s and ‘90s “when politics was struggling and general and army was ruling.”

Memon shared the current situation in Sindh and underscored that religious and ethnic rivalries created in the once-secular society of the province were not “homegrown” but were “injected into society by the establishment”.

Senator Mir Hasil Bazinjo, who was a student leader at Karachi University at the time, admitted that it was a mistake by progressive forces to support an urban ethnic group to counterbalance the power of the religious group. “I was a student and often would have problems with the Jamat-e-Islami, which was funded and aided by Zia.” He said it was the time when weapons made their way into campuses and students were killed due to their allegiances with liberal and social groups struggling for a viable, peaceful Pakistan. The ethnic group was later patronised by the establishment, which led to the current crisis.

About the book, he said, “It is an account with personal touch and it helps us remember what we have experienced till date.”

Defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa said that in the contemporary media age, “We have short memories with no sequence of events and its ramification.”

She talked about the difficulties in identifying real news in this age, as “different people come in the garb of religion, liberalism or in the name of national interest.”

On a related note, M Ziauddin, the executive editor of The Express Tribune, pointed out that the media in Pakistan is market-driven, rather than news-driven. He cited this as a reason that most media outlets exercise self-censorship to protect their commercial interests.

Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson, National Commission on the Status of Women and chief guest on the occasion said reading the book triggered the frightening ambience of Zia’s era of violence and tyranny. “It reminded me of the days when religiosity and violence was flowering and blossoming under the umbrella of the state,” she said.

She recalled the days when Hindus and Parsis were her classmates and they lived in peace and tranquility. “There is a need of more such accounts for the current generation to remember what has been done in the past and how did they come to the current crisis.”

Hoodbhoy called the book a narration of her “experience as a reporter and eyewitness to many accounts from 1988-99” and shared how the “strings of even a civilian government were being pulled by somebody from outside to derail the democratic process.’

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2013.
Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/509794/book-launch-violence-we-are-reaping-today-was-sowed-in-80s/

ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Aboard the Democracy Train, a book by Nafisa Hoodbhoy, launched on Tuesday at a ceremony organised by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO). In the book, the author recounts her experiences as the only female reporter of a leading daily newspaper at that time.

“Unfortunately we are on a train that is leading us to a failed state, more than towards democracy,” said Ayesha Siddiqa, a political and military analyst, while addressing a book launch ceremony. She said that such personal narratives were imperative so that the nation can learn from the past mistakes and deal with the hazards and menaces that have surrounded Pakistan today.

National Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz presided over the event. SPO Chief Executive Naseer Memon, Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, veteran journalists Zahid Hussain and M Ziauddin and the author also spoke on the occasion besides others.

Khawar Mumtaz congratulated the author on completion of this thorough account and said the book was a good reminder of the fact that the violence has its roots in history. Senator Bizenjo said that reading the book took him back in the era of the 1980s where ethnic violence took routes and later spread to the entire city, the devastating effects of which can be seen today.

Nafisa Hoodbhoy, the author, researcher and the broadcaster, told the gathering that apart from her front line experiences she has examined the circumstances in the post-9/11 scenario. “I have also tried to pick up on mafias that lead to the death of Benazir Bhutto, a two-time former prime minister,” she said.

“As the only woman reporter in Dawn newspaper (1984–2000), I was curious about the connection between day to day events and stored them in memory to tell the world some day about the larger picture. “My access to leading politicians and places would go on to feed a narrative on Pakistan that has normally been hidden from the public view,” she said.

“In using my personae, I have tried to break down the complex history and politics of my home country – which despite its small size is a big player on the global scene,” she said. “I have used my knowledge as a journalist on both sides of the Atlantic to trace the path taken by the nation to where it has arrived,” she said.

Source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:D9KAJC0eMj4J:thespokesman.pk/index.php/template/politically-incorrect/itemlist/user/940-thespokesman%3Fstart%3D92+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: SPO Civic Café organized the launching ceremony of Prominent Journalist Ms. Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s book in Islamabad

On the occassion‚giving the introduction of book Author Nafeesa Hudboy said‚ while living in the US‚ she wrote about her front line experiences of the period between 1988-1999. Then‚ working as the only woman reporter for the Dawn newspaper in Karachi‚ Pakistan during Gen. Zia’s era‚ she had associated with the nation’s key politicians and gained key insights into the nation’s road to democracy.

Chief Executive Strengthening Participatory Organizaion Naseer Memon briefed about role of SPO in the process of development. While talking about the book he said‚ the author has described the events during Zia’regime with powerful narration. She has written about religiosity and ethnic division which have been one of the most highlighted issues in Sindh during Zia’s regime. He said‚ in the last five years Sindh is undergoing a transformation and fundamentalism is flourishing at an alarming situation.

Prominent Journalist Zahid Hussain said that the peak period of Zia’s Martial law was Origin of the ethnic divides and riots in Karachi. He said‚ author has given due space to the period of martial law leading to the period when democracy was restored. He said‚ the book takes you back on a journey to Zia’s regime.

Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bajinjo opines that the book is a journey to Zia’s era. The process of violation was initiated by Zia through student organisation‚ and Karachi university did provided a platform

Eminent writer Dr. Ayesha Sadiqa defines the book as personal account and story- dotes‚ which helps the reader to associate with the incidents‚ happenings in the 80’s. The book is a critical account of how societies are molded. The narratives might be helpful in finding joining our dots where we as a nation lost our way‚ due to short-memory as a nation. The book talks about how we have developed.

Renowned journalist M. Ziauddin said that It’s a great book‚ it is must read for every budding journalists. The author shares her experience of a period‚ which she has witnessed and gone through. The author has done a fantastic job.

Chief Guest‚ Ms. Khawar Mumtaz‚ Chairperson‚ National Commission on the Status of Women said that the book is living experience. It reminded me my student days‚ when Karachi University administration Supported a student organisation. She said this book triggered our memories. She said if zia ul Haq was not there‚ situation was not too bad. Karachi was a peaceful city. She said ‚we need this kind of writing‚ this is point of reference for all of us.

The discussion was followed by questions from the audience.

The event was followed by book signing by the author.

Eminent Poet and Human right Activist Haris Khaleeq moderate the event and SPO chief Executive Naseer Memon give the vote of thanks for making the event successful.

Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s book is a gripping account of the two-terms each of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Nawaz Sharif during 1988 to 1999. Both ascended the Prime Minister’s office through elections and both were sacked by the President of the time.

Nafisa serving as the only female reporter with the premier English daily of Pakistan‚ Dawn‚ for 16 eventful years‚ 1984-2000‚ had the advantage of covering for her paper all major developments of that period and taking mental notes to be incorporated in a book after the turmoil settled down and admitted of an objective evaluation of the events that continue to cast their shadow even to this day.

Source: http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-38357

ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Aboard the Democracy Train: A Journey through Pakistan’s last decade of democracy, was billed as a chronicler of the 1980s and the 1990s – a historical narrative that documents the degeneration of the country, under General Ziaul Haq and the events that followed.

The hard back book, written by Nafisa Hoodbhoy, contained personal accounts of the author from General Ziaul Haq’s reign and then the worsening political picture after 9/11 under General Pervez Musharraf.

Launched in collaboration with Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) here on Tuesday, two thirds of this book shed light on the political history/developments in Karachi and how the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamaat-i-Islami found patronage under General Zia.

The remaining one third of the book, Aboard the Democracy Train dealt with post 9/11 situations and the American engagement in Pakistan that further worsened the political affairs of the country.

“I have captured the front line experiences as a journalist when I was the only female reporter for Dawn in Karachi,” she said.

Senior journalists and columnists, who had known Nafisa Hoodbhoy personally as well as professionally, made up the group of speakers to talk about the book, the events as they remembered (to corroborate all that was captured in the book) and the author.

For CEO of SPO, Naseer Memon, the absorbing accounts revived the terrors of General Ziaul Haq’s 11 years tenure in power and the dramatic changes in Karachi since the 1990s.

Journalist and author, Zahid Hussain said the book reminded him of how Karachi used to be the centre of all politics and was transforming into a hub of violence.

“Those were also the days of curbs on journalism when media used to be a resistance media,” said Zahid Hussain.

History was also recalled when National Party Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo remembered the birth of the MQM from 40 to 45 students lead by Altaf Hussain, to counter Sindhi politicians.

“Nine students were shot dead in three years in Karachi University,” said the Senator commenting on the ethnic violence initiated by the MQM.

Since most of the guests speakers happened to have attended the Karachi University, they were thrown back to the days when they were students and were first hand witnesses to the degeneration of Karachi.Sentences and paragraphs jumped out of the book like images, said the editor of Express Tribune, Mohammad Ziauddin.

“It’s a fine and easy read, especially for the younger generation. The author has turned it into an historical movie from 1984 to the present day,” said Mohammad Ziauddin who empathised with the Sindhis, whom he described as innocent and systematically exploited people.

The personal and humane touch of the author, took writer/columnist, Ayesha Siddiqa 20 years back.

“I remember all those stories like they were yesterday – the critical events that changed opinions and societies and eventually resulted in this failed State today,” said Ayesha Siddiqa elaborating on how Nafisa Hoodbhoy had explained the nation got derailed.

The event was also an opportunity for guests in the audience to congratulate Nafisa Hoodbhoy and meet the author personally.

Source: http://dawn.com/2013/02/20/riding-the-democracy-train/

Karachi, Feb 17: Nafisa Hoodbhoy, author of Aboard the Democracy Train, a Journey through Pakistan’s Last Decade of Democracy told a gathering at the Karachi Literature Festival on Sunday that the nation’s elite needs to connect with its own majority in order to understand the real Pakistan.

Presenting her motivation for writing ATDT, while living in the US, Ms Hoodbhoy said that she worked back in memory to write about her front line experiences of the period between 1988-1999. Then, working as the only woman reporter for the Dawn newspaper in Karachi, Pakistan during Gen. Zia’s era, she said she had associated with the nation’s key politicians and gained key insights into the nation’s road to democracy.

The author told the primarily English speaking audience, gathered at the Beach Luxury hotel, that her academic and journalistic experiences in the US had also enabled her to document how Pakistan had functioned as an ally of the US “War on Terror,” – and the impact that had left in terms growing militarization and fundamentalism in the region.

Responding to the moderator,  Syed Jaffer Ahmed’s query about whether she could have written the book if she had not gone to the US, she said, “Probably not.”  According to the author, she took opportunity of the distance and solitude to recreate from her experiences.

“Given that `Journalism is Literature in a Hurry,’ it became the right time for me to unpack my memories,” she told the gathering.

The presentation was followed by questions from the audience.

Earlier, Kenize Mourad, author of In the City of Gold and Silver presented her book in the same room, in the session moderated by Aliya Iqbal-Naqvi.

 

 

Hyderabad, Feb 13: Aboard the Democracy Train  was launched on Wednesday at the Hyderabad Press Club amid a diverse gathering of professors, teachers, students, journalists and intellectuals.

The event was addressed by Jami Chandio, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Civil Society, Sindh University teacher, Amar Sindhu, journalist Ali Hassan, media personality, Anita Shah and moderated by president Sindh University Teachers Association, Arfana Mallah.

ATDT author, Nafisa Hoodbhoy spoke about her book and fielded  questions on politics and journalism from the audience.

The event was followed by book signing and media interviews given by the author.

SPO Civic Café has organized the launching ceremony of Prominent Journalist Ms. Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s book in Islamabad

Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s book is a gripping account of the two-terms each of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Nawaz Sharif during 1988 to 1999. Both ascended the Prime Minister’s office through elections and both were sacked by the President of the time.

Nafisa serving as the only female reporter with the premier English daily of Pakistan‚ Dawn‚ for 16 eventful years‚ 1984-2000‚ had the advantage of covering for her paper all major developments of that period and taking mental notes to be incorporated in a book after the turmoil settled down and admitted of an objective evaluation of the events that continue to cast their shadow even to this day.

Karachi, Feb 2: Speakers at the launching ceremony of the book titled: “Aboard the Democracy Train: a Journey through Pakistan’s Last Decade of Democracy”, authored by eminent journalist Nafisa Hoodbhoy, called for learning lessons from the derailment of democracy in the country in 1990s. The event was organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) here on Saturday.

“We should learn lesson from the horrible consequences the country suffered owing to frequent interruptions in the nascent democratic process,” said Nafisa Hoodbhoy while speaking and answering questions from the audience.

“I am not fond of the present government but I do realise that it is also facing extreme difficult situation,” she added. Nafisa asked as to how stable policy and development would take place when the rulers would be concerned that they may be sent home tomorrow. To some extent, she agreed to the questioner that the democratic struggle during 1980s was linked with the struggle for the rights of women, minorities and human rights but “now the democratic question was linked merely with power politics”.

She, however, opined that much part of this blame should go to those forces which interrupted the democratic process from 1988 to 1999 as no regime was allowed to complete its tenure. She believed that the problems, which the country and particularly Karachi was facing today was the result of the war on terror and Pakistan’s role in it.

“There is a great deal of anti-US sentiments in Pakistan but we need to adopt political approach and objectivity towards the US,” suggested Nafisa.

She said that Washington could not be blamed for all the ills being faced by Islamabad. “There is absence of governance and lack of planning and Pakistan needs to blame itself for it,” she added.

About the book and herself, Nafisa said: “This is a book for the people who are interested in the inside story of Pakistan. It is one that I undertook to write because of my front line access to top politicians and exclusive information obtained while working as a political reporter in Karachi in the 1980s.”

She said she was the only woman reporter at a turning point in Pakistan’s history. “The event, still etched in the minds of millions of Pakistanis…Gen. Zia’s plane crash of August 1988… catapulted me to cover Benazir Bhutto’s bid to mobilize the masses,” she said.

“There are five main aspects of the book,” said eminent scholar Dr. Jaffar Ahmed.

Firstly, Nafisa has strong realization that Pakistani society happens to be patriarchic and in such society women have to launch “extra-ordinary struggle” for the rights and make their presence felt.

“She (Nafisa) had developed a longing for Benazir Bhutto because of her (BB’s) extra-ordinary struggle against the despot rule,” said Dr. Ahmed, head of Pakistan Study Centre of Karachi University.

She also realised that if women come out in the field they would find that there was a large number of people who would join their struggle.

“Nafisa broke the taboos and gender bias by working in the field as reporter,” said Prof. Ahmed.

Secondly, Nafisa belonged to what it is believed as “elite class” but despite this she had developed longing for the poor and deprived ones. This was evident from her visits to rural areas of Sindh. She was highly critical of the “classed society” of Sindh and this was very significant thing of her book.

Thirdly, another important aspect of Nafisa’s book was that she has described the ethnic question or ethnic hatred in Sindh objectively. She has stated as to how the “majority was turned into minority” and as to how the failure to manage it resulted in the polarization and fragmentation of society in Sindh.

“Nafisa’s approach is objective and without any bias,” said Prof Ahmed, adding that she has also presented “remedy of this polarization” in her book.

Fourthly, Nafisa loved Benazir Bhutto from the core of her heart and somewhere in her book she appears to be “obsessed” with her but despite this love and longing for the political leader she (Hoodbhoy) did not desist from criticizing the flaws and failures of the BB’s two tenures.

“This shows that she has a commitment with the democracy and not with any political leader,” believed Jaffar, adding that she was not willing to compromise on her democratic principles.

The fifth aspect of the book pertained to Nafisa’s criticism on the Pakistan’s role after 9/11 and geo-strategic situation in the region. Nafisa believed that whatever lawlessness Pakistan was facing today was the result of the country’s unstinted support to the US-led war on terror.

“The basic thing is that Hoodbhoy’s book is politically correct book, which is written from the democratic perspective,” concluded Dr. Jaffar Ahmed.

Journalist and novelist Muhammad Hanif said what struck him was that the book has been written as “first person” and he knew that it was a very difficult task but she managed to strike a balance in personal as well as political history of Pakistan.

He opined that the book was not the political history of Pakistan, instead it was a “reporter’s diary” about the events of last 20 years, which provide “brilliant perspective about today’s life as well”.

“Nafisa, a bright and hard working reporter chased the murder and rape cases and took them to the conclusion,” said Hanif.

He said the book was also partly a love story as Nafisa found her life partner through her journalistic work.

Rights activist Zohra Yousuf said that the book was being launched at an appropriate time as it was the first time that an elected government was completing its tenure without any interruption.

Though the democratic regime was marked by uncertainty and the rights abuses, it was quite an achievement in the history of Pakistan, she said.

Zohra opined that the democracy should not be taken in narrow sense and stressed for debating the quality of the democratic regime, specially its poor governance. At the same time, she also underlined the importance of assessing the role of what she called two big brothers namely the “army and now judiciary” under which, this government worked.

“The book starts with the transition in 1988 i.e. after the death of Gen. Zia in plane crash and it resonates with us and make us realize its tragic aftermath in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto,” said Zohra who also worked as journalist in 1980s.

Referring to perpetual act of sabotage in the shape of destruction of democracy thrice by the ambitious military generals, Ms Yousuf believed that lately the militancy was posing serious challenge to democracy.

“We did not exactly know who killed BB but at least officially it was said that the militants assassinated her,” she said, adding that the latest victim of the militancy was ANP leader Bashir Bilour.

About the book and its author, Zohra said that Nafisa’s approach was journalistic and not academic, and it makes very easy to read it.

“She (Nafisa) brings back memories and regrets such as things would have been much better today if the democracy had not been derailed,” said Zohra.

She also highlighted the “sordid events” which determined the democracy today.

“Though Ms Hoodbhoy had been close to the people in power, she is objective and she narrates democracy honestly and in straightforward and engaging manner,” she added.

Nafisa described the compromises through which the democracy was brought back such as NRO and departure of Gen. Pervez Musharraf that were not considered as happy developments.

She (Nafisa) also believed that Asif Zardari was the most unlikely person to lead the present democratic setup.

At the end of her speech, Zohra suggested Nafisa to “revisit the train to democracy”.

Eminent columnist Zubaida Mustafa, who chaired the book launching ceremony, recalled that she was inspired to see the determination and courage of Nafisa when she chose to become reporter of Dawn in Karachi in 1980s, as there were only two or three women journalists at that time.

Nafisa was humbled when Zubaida said that not only young generation but old generation like her learnt a lot from her reports. She said those were the difficult times for the reporters to collect news and bring truth to the readers. Zubaida also recalled the adverse situation which Nafisa faced while covering events in Karachi.

Editor Jang Nazir Leghari recalled the era of censorship and curbs on freedom of media during the military regime of Gen. Zia to the extent that reporters working in the head offices of the newspapers were not allowed covering the political gatherings of the MRD in other districts.

He also named such political personalities who were closed to the military ruler in 1980s but now their sons have become champions of democracy in both the PML-N and the PPP.

President ACP Muhammad Ahmed Shah and Dr. Ayub Sheikh also expressed their views at the largely attended ceremony.

The audience gave standing ovation to both Nafisa Hoodbhoy and Zubaida Mustafa for their work.

Earlier, one minute silence was observed for the departed soul of former editor, novelist and lawyer Siraj-ul-Haq Memon who passed away in the city on Friday night.

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-157778-Call-for-learning-lessons-from-derailment-of-democracy