PARTLY FACETIOUS: The system is in place so shut up or put up
'The death…'
'Inna Lillahi wainnailaihiraji'un' (we belong to Allah and to him we will return).'
'Hmmmm.'
'What?'
'I was wondering about the relevance of what you said. The reason is, the death I am mourning is not of an individual but of an ideology.'
'What ideology?'
'Democracy.'
'Dear Lord, you are one of those who seek to divide and rule.'
'Excuse me?'
'As our friend Raisani said about his degree – a degree is a degree, fake or not. So my response to you is form 45 or form 47 are forms and there is no need to synchronize…'
'You are being facetious?'
'No. It has been over a year and a half, the system is in place so shut up or put up.'
'The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless is trying to put up, but his arms have been amputated and…'
'Shut up. Besides, I wasn't referring to our democracy because it's never matured. I reckon in terms of human age democracy is a newborn not even a toddler.'
'Are you referring to democracy in…in….'
'The Europeans are being led not by the largest parties that were voted to power but a coalition….'
'Right wing parties have rightly been sidelined and cases against their leaders are barring them from the next elections…'
'But if that's what their people want, the majority want an end of support for Israel! They don't want to fight Russia and want cheap Russian oil. They want Chinese cheap EVs! They want…'
'People don't know what's good for them. Others much more qualified know…'
'Isn't that a sort of Jirga system?'
'Hallelujah! Welcome to the West: democracy is replaced by Jirga.'
'Took them quite a few centuries…'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
29 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Russia criminalising 'extremist' content
Songs by Pussy Riot are on the list. Photo: File Russian lawmakers on Thursday advanced a bill that would outlaw opening or searching for content online judged "extremist", such as songs glorifying Ukraine and material by feminist rock band Pussy Riot. Critics say the law, which has drawn a rare backlash from across Russia's political spectrum, would stifle internet freedom. Russian authorities already block access to thousands of websites accused of hosting "extremist" content. The latest proposed legislation threatens fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($64) on anyone found to have deliberately searched for or gained access to material listed as extremist by the justice ministry. More than 5,000 entries are on the list, including web pages, political slogans, books, artworks and music albums. Among them are songs glorifying Ukraine, blog posts by feminist rock band Pussy Riot and information on the Wikipedia page for dynamite. Deputies in the lower house State Duma backed the bill by 283 votes to 22 in its second reading. It is not clear whether the government supports the bill. The Kremlin said the proposal needed "more detailed explanations" to allay people's concerns. "I am not familiar with the initiative by the deputies," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question from AFP. The bill requires three readings and approval by Russia's upper house before President Vladimir Putin can sign it into law. During Thursday's second reading, lawmaker Alexander Teterdinko of the governing United Russia party said the legislation would only affect those who "deliberately" search for extremist material. "That is to say, if you Google something and material appears in the search results, but you do not click on it, do not read it, do not use it in any way... you will not fall under this article," he said. Others, however, expressed concern over the apparent lack of safeguards. It was not clear how the bill would work in practice, and whether internet service providers or websites would be responsible for monitoring violations.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Utmanzai Jirga rejects more military Ops
Restoring peace and ensuring law and order in North Waziristan is the state's responsibility, and like citizens of other regions, the people of Utmanzai tribe deserve a peaceful life. These views were expressed during the "Aman Pasoon" (Peace Gathering) organized by the Utmanzai Jirga in Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan. Thousands of people, including tribal elders from across North Waziristan, political alliances, and representatives of the business community participated in the grand Jirga. Speaking to the media, Utmanzai Jirga spokesperson Mufti Baitullah said the Jirga, in consultation with political and business leaders, unanimously decided that no further displacement or military operations will be allowed in the region. "Military operations are not a solution," he stated, adding that previous offensives including Zarb-e-Azb failed to deliver lasting peace. He said progress has been made on several fronts in discussions with the government, including agreements on reopening the Pak-Afghan Ghulam Khan border for trade, relaxation of the curfew, and permission for non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles in the area. Mufti Baitullah expressed hope for continued positive developments in the talks with the government and reassured residents that efforts for peace and stability are ongoing. Dr Gul Alam, another participant, told the media that ensuring security and peace is the primary duty of the state. "Around the world, the foremost obligation of any government is to provide protection and peace to its citizens," he said. The Jirga also demanded the immediate release of Malik Akbar Khan, who has been in custody for the past eight months. The elders believe his release is crucial for restoring trust between the government and the local community.
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
UK, India likely to unveil trade deal next week, including whisky, EVs, textiles, sources say
NEW DELHI/LONDON: India and Britain are expected to seal a long-awaited free trade deal next week, two Indian government sources said, granting Indian textiles and electric vehicles some duty-free access to the UK market and easing British exports of whisky, cars and food. In May, both countries announced the conclusion of trade negotiations after three years of stop-start negotiations, aiming to increase bilateral trade, remove trade barriers and allow duty-free entry of goods. The countries are now preparing to formally sign the agreement, and the announcement could coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to London next week, one of the Indian officials said. The trade pact will take effect in about a year, after it is approved by the British parliament and India's federal cabinet, the official added. Officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as the details are not public. 'The trade agreement offers a win-win for both countries,' the second Indian source said, adding that Indian consumers would gain access to Scotch whisky at lower prices, as import tariffs will drop to 75% from 150% immediately, and further to 40% over the next decade. On cars, India will cut duties to 10% from 100% under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised, the sources said. In return, Indian manufacturers are expected to gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, also under a quota regime, they added. India's top think tank recommends easing investment rules for Chinese firms, sources say India's commerce ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Britain's trade ministry said that the countries were working to finalise the deal. 'We have been working with India on a landmark trade deal that will deliver for British people and business,' a UK government spokesperson said. India's trade ministry has said 99% of Indian exports to Britain would benefit from zero duty under the deal, including textiles, while Britain will see reductions on 90% of its tariff lines. An Indian trade delegation is separately holding talks in Washington, for a potential trade deal with the U.S. as President Donald Trump ramps up his trade war with the threat of sharply higher tariffs from August 1. By 2030, India's middle class is projected to reach 60 million people and could rise to a quarter of a billion by 2050, according to British government estimates. India's overall import demand is forecast to grow by 144% in real terms to 1.4 trillion pounds ($1.88 trillion) by 2035, compared to 2021.
