Osama bin Laden Celebrated in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - While suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden is on the 10 Most
Wanted List in the United States, Osama has become the name of choice for babies and businesses
in Pakistan, the land of Mujahiddeens.

A survey conducted in the remote Dir region that borders Afghanistan found that Osama has
become the most popular name for a new boy.

More than 500 infants in Pakistan's Khost region were named Osama after last year's U.S. missile
attack bin Laden's suspected hide-out in eastern Afghanistan, local officials said.

But according to Mohammed Jalil, an Urdu-language journalist who conducted the survey, Osama's
popularity was not limited to newborn boys.

Businesses and public institutions bearing his name have also sprung up, including several Osama
Poultry Farms, an Osama Bakery, an Osama drug store, several Osama clothing stores, an Osama
watchmaker and the Osama Public School.

The reason for the name choice is that ``people say they are impressed by the courage shown by
Osama bin Laden in challenging and defying the United States and speaking out for the oppressed
Muslims,'.

Jalil said the sons are given his name with the hope that they will ``follow in the footsteps of Osama
bin Laden and uphold the banner of Islam.''

Washington accuses bin Laden of masterminding last year's deadly attacks on U.S. embassies in
East Africa and has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

The United States suspects bin Laden is planning other attacks and on Wednesday it announced
economic and trade sanctions against Afghanistan's Islamic Taliban rulers to punish them for
harboring him. The Taliban have said they do not know of bin Laden's whereabouts.

But the govt. of Pak thinks(in public) and (in private) otherwise.


I am Fata Morgana

Yup. He sure is our hero

Yes, He is the Quid-e-Azam of the 90s.

I wonder who is living in better hiding conditions: Rushdie or Osama?