Adil Najam
I recieved a couple of emails with this picture today, and then saw it poste by Vaqas on Metroblog Lahore (see earlier picture here). A great picture by Awais Lodhi. We at ATP have a long-standing fascination with rickshaws (here, here, here, here an here). But, this, of course, is about political commentary, not just about rickshaws.
My best attempt at a translation of the ‘writing on the rickshaw’ is:
Addressed to Honorable General Musharraf Sahib. Accept my congratulations on the passage of the women’s rights bill. Now, please, also give us a bill on Men’s rights. We will be greatful. It is very difficult to drink these days.
Must confess, I am not fully sure how the last line fits. Please suggest a better translation if you will. Or offer commentary on this commentary.
“Peeney pilaney ke liye bari tangi hoti haiâ€
“Zahid, na khud piyo na kisi ko pilaa sako
Kya baat hai tumharay sharab-e-tahoor ki”
I suppose “peena pilana” can also be taken to mean entertaining oneself and others, often with alcoholic beverages.
Looks to me like a really bitter criticism of the passage of the Women’s Rights Bill and the “freedom” it will give to the women. The writer of this statement wants to get the same kind of “freedom” (Peena Pilana) by the passage of a Men’s Rights Bill.
I wonder who is the creative genius behind this statement, sure beats “Maan ki dua, Jannat ki Hava” !!!
I saw this before somewhere. It seems there is light at the end of the tunnel, people are getting some freedom of speech. I guess what is written is very clear.