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ID: 166851

If I Speak, They Will Kill Me, to Remain Silent Is to Die: Poetry of resistance in General Zia's Pakistan (1977–88) / Kalra, Virinder S

Kalra, Virinder S	Journal Article
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Summary/Abstract

The ethnic and sectarian divisions that were part of General Zia's (1977–88) political strategies in Pakistan were resisted not only through street protest and political opposition, but also in the realm of culture. In particular, poetry was a vehicle through which to express discontent as well as to mobilize the population. By offering an analysis of a number of poems and the biographies of the political poets who wrote them, this article offers another perspective on the question of resistance in this period of Pakistan's history. Whilst the outcome of the policy of ethnic division was to divide the struggle against General Zia into a broad anti-Punjab front, this article highlights how it was class division and the securing of elite consent that were the major achievements of the Zia regime. In contrast to previous research, we highlight how resistance came from all groups in Pakistan as reflected in the poetry and literature of the time.

Key Words

Poetry of Resistance ; General Zia's Pakistan (1977–88)

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ID: 075917

Transnationalism from below: initial responses by British Kashmiris to the South Asia earthquake of 2005 / Rehman, Shams; Kalra, Virinder S

Rehman, Shams	Journal Article
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2006.

Summary/Abstract

The earthquake that shook Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan, and India on 8 October 2005 had major consequences for the region in all areas of life. An assessment of the damage and loss of life and need for relief is ongoing. This article examines the transnational fund-raising effort that arose in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. By offering a particular case study of the fund-raising effort in the north of England, we hope to illustrate the general mechanisms by which aid was collected among diaspora communities. Our contention is that diaspora fund-raising and distribution was initially able to respond in a more direct and effective manner than states and non-governmental organisation. The reason for this was the utilisation of existing active and hitherto dormant transnational links.

Key Words

Jammu & Kashmir ; Earthquake ; Pakistan - 1967-1977

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