Soran Singh

The moment i typed in Soran Singh on google, next to it appeared "Pakistan" to complete the search, i could feel my heart sinking already i was saddened upon his death not just because he was a minority or a Pakistani or a Sikh because he didn't deserve to die like this. Let's not jump to any conclusion so quick and let us first dig out who he actually was, because many of us were unaware of this name until the breaking news of his death popped in the red headlines.

Was he another alleged RAW Agent working on foreign agendas? Was he discriminated on the basis of religion? Oh or perhaps because of the still alive animosity against the few Hindus and Sikhs in the partition? Because the war of 1947 never really ended for most of us, or dare i say we never let it end by our enthusiastic speeches and slogans spewing hate against the "enemy" that we have become so intolerant, really, that we cannot even bear seeing a devoted and patriotic human like him living in "our" 'Islamic State' and so we decide to eliminate them one by one. But let's not deviate from the aim of introducing this man who is no more with us;

Sardar Soran Singh who was shot dead by unidentified armed men in Pir Baba area of Buner, early morning on Friday was a Pakistani Sikh Doctor, Anchor person at Khyber News, Politician and Minister of Minorities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He was elected on PTI ticket for minority seat in 2013 general elections, Soran Singh is said to be an honest, devoted and down to earth person. He had a simple and humble character and always dealt in a very polite manner with everyone. Even before joining the political party; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. In 2011 he was a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan for nine years, yes you've it just right a Sikh serving in JIT. So perhaps it's not the "Conservative parties" or the clerics but some other  more serious and heinous mindsets and agendas that deprive us of such gems. Yes there's still more to it, he was also the member of Tehsil council, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Evacuee Trust Property Board. Soran Singh also hosted program "Za Hum Pakistani Yam" (Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon) " I am also Pakistan" for three and a half years with Khyber News.

What may have hurt Soran Singh's soul could be the thought of how a minority minister's death didn't deserve responsible journalism or the proper evidence providing the names of his assassins. Rather the blame, as always was put on Tehreek i Taliban, TTP, which is the most convenient option when you want to get rid of a matter or don't want it to get special attention or investigation.

Just yesterday on Sunday 24th April, there had been even a protest  by the people belonging to minority community in Peshawar against the assassination of adviser to the chief minister on minorities affairs Samson Jacob and Bishop Elohim Church Amir Pervez Khokar. The protest in front of Peshawar Press Club was organised by Pakistan Minorities Alliance. They demanded the government to conduct the investigation of the murder of Sardar Soran Singh through a military court. They also criticized the government for not taking adequate measures to stop target killings of minorities in the country. They called upon the government to address the sense of alienation with the minorities and provide them proper security.

A protester told TNN that Sardar Soran Singh was not provided adequate security. “Other federal and provincial ministers have many policemen at their disposal, but Soran Singh had no security when he was attacked,” he said.

Another protester said when ministers like Soran Singh had no security then one can easily guess the state of security for common people.

They said that it was not for the first time that a minority member was targeted but earlier to this several of their community members targeted in such a barbaric manner.
He added that earlier to this former Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhutti was killed in Islamabad but no one was arrested, later to this incident two Sikh community members were also killed in Peshawar and Mardan.

Bishop of Elohim Church Amir Pervez Khokar also expressed his anger over the killing of Soran Singh and demanded of the government to ensure security of the life and property of the people.
He said that they will continue their protest movement until the arrest of the perpetrators.

Cricketer-turned-politician Khan, whose PTI party rules the restive KP, asked his government to set up an inquiry commission to probe the assassination.

Since he was too busy, shamelessly preparing for the "Birthday Bash" of his party on growing 20 years old. He didn't think to cease the plan and rather pay a visit at minister's house the first day. Just as he was busy at "Dharna" (Sit-in) last year, when Peshawar attack on Army public took place and he didn't pay his condolences to the parents of dead children. He was bashed in the same way when he did go after a while and accepted being guilty of neglecting his area and people but looks like it was only temporary. Khan seems to never learn from his past mistakes and is in fact  adamant on repeating them time and again. Though he had the audacity to pay a visit on the third day & enter Soran's house for condolences, but got lucky enough to not face the consequences as he did prior. Hope he learns from this at least.

Although Imran khan did say that he was indeed deeply saddened and shaken by the death of a devoted party member, he soon regained all his senses to happily conduct yet another "Jalsa" shamelessly dedicating just two minutes of mourning to the deceased Soran Singh, that too just to avoid criticism, but the water was already above the bridge. People  of Peshawar minority were hurt and showed aggression to his actions in rally.

The worst part from starting this write up to the ending is that, I still cannot find on the big computer screen lit up in front of me, even a single article or a news package based on his services to this country or what a gem of a person he was. That's perhaps because we have too many more important news in the form of humdrum Jalsa routine from dawn till dusk and the joy we derive out of such wasteful celebrations is superior in the run down to the emotional mushy gushy  "minority killings".

Oh wait, we cannot even label it as a minority killing, since he was a minister and a country man but just because he wasn't mourned as any other minister would have been doesn't mean we will give it a different color.

CPEC: A boon for Economy

CPEC? What's that?

You'll hear people ask you this question as soon as you say these four letters and once you'll start explaining to them that's it's the abbreviation of a Dollar 46 Billion Mega Project "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor". They'd already be telling you they're not interested in this political talk and it's "A BIG Thing" which a layman doesn't understand, and by stopping you they're actually saving your time that you're going to invest in this futile effort of making them understand.

Making them understand? What? Exactly, that's one thing where people should stop and ask themselves "Are we going to miss out on something important by not hearing out this person?"

Let's not miss out on this one then, because we're going to explain CPEC and why is so important for each one of to be aware of and the best part is that all this is going to be explained in a layman's term. Isn't it just great? Like someone narrating a story to you! So let’s get started - from the beginning.

This Mega project was initiated when the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang stated in a conference with the President of Pakistan in 2013 and gave the statement: 

"Our two sides should focus on carrying out priority projects in connectivity, energy development and power generation and promoting the building of a China-Pakistan economic corridor"

In February 2013 The Chinese Ambassador Wang also said,

"Closer cooperation with Pakistan would also improve the opening up and economic development of western China, in terms of linking to the Indian Ocean,"

Basically what CPEC , China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is going to do is to offer a window of opportunity to the entire region of Pakistan that would bring socio-economic development to the country, particularly in the two least developed provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

By hearing the word “corridor” the idea that we perceive is that of a snake passing through the center linking the border of the china and Arabian Sea, just a road route which is beneficial for the people and areas attached with the route.

But In fact, that’s not the case, it’s more like a network, although the road happens to pass through the selected areas but the purpose of that road crossing through he major areas is of that to spread the network of Infrastructure, Roads, Railway lines, Fiber optics and Power projects to other regions. Perhaps the name for the “pact and project” is a bit misleading and it should’ve been more convincing and catchy for people to have a clearer idea.

Although the word “Economic” in CPEC itself suggests that the major aim of bringing this project home is to boost the economy of the country and provide better employment and earning opportunities.

The impression that the CPEC would benefit any single province or region is a mere controversy and a misunderstanding that need to be dispelled. CPEC would benefit the most backward areas of the country and this change can be seen in the emerging human settlements on sections of the western route from Quetta to Gwadar, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. The completion of western and central routes would In shaa Allah bring a new era of development and prosperity in Balochistan.

As much as this project is helping Pakistan, it’s also helping China in terms of shorter trade routes with the western world, which means CPEC would not only reduce the distance for West China to trade with the outer world but would also drastically cut down the cost of their products because of faster and cheaper transportation of goods.

Offers and services of China in the energy sector of Pakistan are strengthening the relations between both countries. It will definitely eliminate the power crisis in Pakistan and provide relief to industry and the public. It is for the youth to understand the importance of this mega project and get skills from various other projects under CPEC to ensure the bright future of Pakistan.

The friendship that has been hailed

“Higher than the Mountains,

Deeper than the Oceans,

Sweeter than the Honey,

& Stronger than Steel.”

between both countries is developing peaceful and productive role for the progress of region which is in our dire need.

Chinese Counsel General YU Boren says, "China seeks strong and a long-term result-oriented bilateral relations with Pakistan. In this connection, China is bringing a massive investment and projects for the development of the area." 

The best thing about CPEC is that all the political parties stand united favoring this mega project and ready to participate and promote it. Some "nationalist" and anti sate factors though are present and they try to sabotage or harm the deal and relations between the two states. But our political parties and our Military has categorically said time and again that they will safeguard this project till their last breath. Instead of all the security issues Pakistan is facing today China has brought us this gift and made a deal with us and we won't let our friends down and will make sure that the world recognizes our efforts to fight terrorism and insurgency. The completion of this mega project will be a tight slap on the faces of all such intruding factors and the world will see what we're capable of.

Hope is being able to see that there's light despite of all the darkness.

Let's hope for better days to come, and why not?
We as individuals, as families and as a nation have been through a lot, have fought hard battles with strength and courage and have come out stronger. But being stronger doesn't mean one stays deprived of the goodness and riches life offers, it means the fighters and winners have their due share or rather more than anyone else. So why not this time? Why not when it's being offered to us.

After all these dark and bloody years of War and plight, something big has come our way and we shouldn't let anyone come in our way of happiness and prosperity, specially when it comes from the best and in a best serving manner. Our friendships and our investments in any relationship should be paid off. In the world of politics and diplomacy we make contacts and we share assets and in times of difficulties we help each other with whatever means available with us.

But we must watch out for the one's who are sweet on surface and stab you in the back.

The point of ending in such an anecdotal manner is not to waste your time or to divert your attention from the real matter but I want the readers to relate it to their lives and take it personally. Very very personally, because it's your right. and i'd say again Do not let anyone, take your share away.
It's your responsibility to be aware of the rights that are yours and are finally being offered to you. so take them and prove that you are a rising nation of intelligent, hardworking and capable citizens.