Dear Compatriots,
Over the past few weeks, I have heard growing rumbles, murmurs and whispers of many plans to leave the country. I am told that the game is up, the snitch has been caught and Pakistan is done. It is time to leave. Time to leave before things get worse. Time to leave before a suicide bomb hits your loved ones. Time to leave before you lose power completely. Time to leave to before its you.
I am told that there is no hope for the country. That corrupt rulers are in control. That foreign powers are playing their chess game with our lives. That the militants and the extremists will not listen. That it is not our country anymore. That nothing we can do will change matters.
Wrong. My dear friends, you are very wrong. No, the country is a mess. You are right on that. But you are wrong to believe that it is done. It is not done yet. A naiton is composed of people. And while you might be ready to give up, others will fight on. Because they understand that individuals can make a difference. Because they understand that change does not materialise mid air – that people bring change. Because they continue to have faith. Imagine the difference it will make if each and everyone of us decides to live up to that responsibility. Nations are not built without sweat and blood. The require both. And a lot of pain. But most of all, they require preservereness.
So I ask you: did you exhaust all your options of making a difference before you decided to give up? Have you? Or did you just decide to give up, pack your bags and leave?
Call me a hopeless fool in denial. But I will stick it out here. Because I believe that individuals can make a difference. Because every cloud has a silver lining. Because I am determined to do my share to bring change. Because no matter how much this country sucks, it still defines who I am. Because there is no place like home and I will not run away when my home burns. And because, we will change things.
So to you naysayers, I say: think and think again.
–
A Sad Angry Citizen
Filed under: Pakistan, Politics | Tags: afghanistan, nato, Pakistan, taliban, usa, waronterror
The recent statement making the rounds came from the British military commander in Helmand. Discussing the future of the taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, he stated that:
“It’s about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that’s not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army.”
Brig Carleton-Smith said the goal was to change how debates were resolved in the country so that violence was not the first option considered.
He said: “If the Taleban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that’s precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this.
“That shouldn’t make people uncomfortable.” [#]
An honest statement. The insurgency in Afghanistand and Pakistan cannot be crushed by western forces. That is a basic fact of this conflict and a fact that the West refues to acknowledge. Therefore, this is a welcome statement.
But this brings us to the question: how can this conflict end? This insurgency can only be defeated through indigenous opposition – when the local people themselves decide to lead the fight against the militants and the role of foreign forces is eliminated or at least curtailed. For that matter, it is pertinent to ask what is the curtain scene for the global war on terror? What is the ultimate objective for the American agenda in the region?
The war on terror was proclaimed with two objectives: to catch and kill Osama Bin Laden and his associates and to destroy the infrastructure of Islamic extremism threatening the US. To achieve these two objective a military approach was adopted and a “war” was declated. Now, it is possible to achieve the first objective through this approach – yes, OBL and his close associates can be killed. But will that solve the problem? Will that mean that the war has been won?
In all honesty, the American administration is not even serious about the second objective. So the focus is on killing a few men and that is supposed to miraculously solve all the problems. Here is a newsflash: it won’t. Today, its Osama Bin Landen – tomorrow, it will be someone else. There is no end possible to this war. And that is a fact missed by most.
Just musing.
Filed under: Pakistan, Politics | Tags: Pakistan, taliban, US, war on terror
Bush Said to Give Orders Allowing Raids in Pakistan
U.S. Reported to Kill 12 in Pakistan (fifth such incident over the past 2 weeks)
Gilani, corps commanders endorse Kayani’s stand: Nation told not to get upset by US threats
Karzai backs US plan to attack Fata militants (Of course, he has done an exemplary job in Afghanistan)
and this piece says it all:
The September 3 Attack on Pakistan
—
I am too angry/worried to write coherently about this insanity. But I know that this will not (cannot) end well for any of the parties concerned. We should brace ourselves for worse days. Truth be told, there is not much that the Paksitani state will do about this situation. There will be angry statements protesting the violations of our sovereignty, but we know that will not amount to anything. Will Pakistan do more than temporarily stop NATO’s feul supply? Will the army retaliate? No.
The Pakistani nation will shamefully endure another insult. Resentment will flourish. The new democratically elected government will be under increased pressure and will have to deal with diminishing space and options. Don’t expect it to grow a spine and stand up to this madness. Tough times are ahead.
And of course, who will suffer the most in this sordid affair? The ordinary people. The militants pissed at the airstrikes will step up their attacks on the rest of the country. (Funny way to fight the Americans.) Yes, this does not augur well.
Filed under: Pakistan, Politics | Tags: counter insurgency, isaf, militancy, nato, Pakistan, taliban, US
In the midst of the political circus of Pakistan, the war in our backyard continues to be ignored. Violence has been raging in the tribal areas and Swat valley. Violence that is not just related to the war on terror and the Taliban, but adding to the delectable mix is renewed sectarian strife in Kurram Agency. And when the state and the militants battle it out, the ultimate sufferers are ordinary people – whether they are victims of fateful suicide bombs or refugees in their own country. The recent military offensive in Bajur created over 400,000 IDPs. The state moved in to provide relief and support to the dispossessed only as an afterthought. It is from amongst theses IDPs that the Taliban find their potential recruits.
Filed under: Pakistan | Tags: caolition, Pakistan, pml, Politics, ppp, sharif, zardari
Last Tuesday was a happy day for most Pakistanis. They were still rejoicing in the afterglow of the resignation of a military dictator. Musharaff finally read the writing on the wall and bowed out. Last Tuesday discussing this on another forum I had written:
This is what they should do now. The judges issue is nothing but a ceremonial issue now. They will be restored..well and good. And I hope the judiciary will retain its spine and keeps these fools on their toes as well. Next on the 17th Amendment will be repealed and the parliamentary form of government will be restored in earnest. The President will be a ceremonial head again – minus 58-2b. Of course, the first real test for the coalition would be the choice of the new President. It’s an open field there.
Looks like I called it wrong. I realise now that I was hoping for the ideal situation and forgot about the relaities of Pakistani politics. I had hoped that rationality and good sense would revail. But only a week later the coalition split. Zardari reneged on his promise and said that political agreements cannot be considered to be as sacrosanct as the Quran-Hadith. Nawaz Sharif has a right to be angry with Zaradari. Does it matter now that Zardari apologised? After all his apology will be as good as his political agreements, no?
I am really angry over these developments. I am angry that Zardari has put his ego and ambition infront of naitonal interest. I am angry that he has squandered a historic opportunity to establish a national unity government where both the main parites of the country would have been able to work together to strengthen the democratic tradition and to fight the pressing issues of terrorism and economic fraility. I am angry that we may not get a similar opportunity soon. I had a long discussion on the issue with a friend today and the premise put forth was this: We should let this continue. This wrangling is what democracy is all about. We need to let this assembly complete its term and establish a precendent for democracy in Pakistan.
In other circumstances, I would have agreed. But this is not the time to let the kids learn how to grow. The time demands that they act as adults yesterday and figure out a roadmap to steer the country through these troubled times. If anything, whatever we know about Zardari and the democratic governments of the decade of the 90s does not give me hope. There is already talk of Zardari keeping 58-2b, of the PPP working to oust PML-N from Punjab, of the possibility that the national assembly will be dismissed if PML-N gets too rowdy. And of course, this would create yet another classic situation for the military to intervene.
And to think that we did not have to take this path. But old habits die hard, don’t they? Here’s to hoping that I am proved wrong. I desperately want to..but at this point keeping faith in the system is turning out to be extremely difficult.
Filed under: Pakistan
After a long long break, I plan on resuming regular blogging. *fingers crossed*
And oh, go there:
Filed under: Pakistan, general | Tags: ethnic tensions, karachi, Pakistan, sms, taliban
This morning The Daily Times carried a news story that has me worried. The news story reports the incidence of controversial SMSes being spread in Karachi:
Some people in the city have been growing more and more worried about the fears of the alleged spread of ‘Talibanization’ especially with the appearance of incendiary graffiti, posters and cell phone text messages.
“Some families from [the name of a place in Sindh] arrived at [the name of a place in Karachi] and were taken upon by [the name of one linguistic group] who misbehaved with their women,” said one text message. “Their bodies were painted red and they were stripped naked… [One linguistic group] has given [the name of another group] a deadline to leave [an area in Karachi]. Think, are you going to do something or just talk? Send this SMS to all [one linguistic group] so that the nation awakens. Long live [the name of a political leader.”
Another message said: “An elder from [a place in the Punjab] has told the people of Sindh in a message to pray [a certain prayer] and ask their friends to do so because a great tragedy is about to befall the province. He sent a similar message to Balakot as well before the earthquake happened.”
This is coming in the backdrop of a series of reports over the past week which have warned against the imminent “Talibaniation” of Karachi. Karachi is already scared with ethnic warfare and fanning of hatred and anti-ethnic feelings in this manner does not bode well for the social fabric of the city.
I have witnessed the power of smses in another conflict recently. And the ability of these not-so-innocuous messages to spread fear and panic cannot be underestimated. The state can take a number of educational steps to counter the spread of such hatred, but the utlimate responsibility lies with the users. We are a country where sms forwarding is a hobby and we have to be extremely careful of what we are spreading. I hope that these messages fizzle out but they will do their damage if we don’t pause to think about them.
Edit: A related opinion piece.
From here. And the email forward:
Aitzaz Ahsan has given a call to observe Black Flag Week in Pakistan.
Everyone is requested to show their solidarity for the restoration of
the independent Judiciary in Pakistan. You can watch the message (with
English subtitles) at:
The Emergency Times: http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/
Teeth Maestro: http://www.teeth.com.pk/blog/2008/03/07/aitzaz-ahsans-call-for-black-flag-week/
Here are a couple of things you can do:
1) Record a small video of yourself wearing a black flag, black
clothing or even just a black cap and post it on youtube in response
to the Aitzaz’s video message. In the video you should talk about why
you support the restoration of the judiciary.
To respond to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/video_response_upload?v=EOzwt953sTU
If you have trouble uploading the video on youtube please email the
clip to blackflagweek@gmail.com
2) Take a picture of yourself, your friends and/or your family holding
a black flag or wearing black clothes and send it to
blackflagweek@gmail.com. If you are uncomfortable revealing your
identity you can have the picture taken from your backside or cover
your face before taking the picture. You can also help us by taking
pictures of your friends, family members, relatives and others who may
not be able to take pictures
3) Take part in the events that observe the Black Flag Day in your
cities. You can get information about the major events at:
http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/
If your event is not shown on this blog please email
blackflagweek@gmail.com with details of the event and it will be
updated shortly.
4) Attached is a picture that you should use as your facebook, orkut
and myspace picture for till Sunday, March 16, 2008.
5) You can use many variations of a black flag. Suggestions include
black armbands, headbands, stickers, caps, headscarfs, etc.
6) Please encourage your friends, family, teachers and everyone else
you know to participate in the Black Flag Week. The biggest strength
to the campaign would be pictures and videos.
7) Please forward this email to as many people as you know to make
this campaign a success. You can also inform them of this campaign
through facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22589890270
In solidarity,
Samad
Around 3 months ago, I had made a post on this blog calling for a boycott of the elections. The post was made when the civil society movement was at its highest and the political parties were toying with the idea of a boycott to pressurize Musharraf. I got a number of comments on that post, but owing to the necessities of academic work, I was never able to reply to them.
One of the main reasons, I had supported the call for boycott was that I was certain that under the pro-Musharraf setup, elections would be massively rigged and that the issues of the judiciary and media’s independence would not be addressed. I was also disappointed by the fact that PML-N (at that time) and PPP were not taking a strong stance in support of the civil society and the lawyer’s movements. I had hoped that if a society-wide boycott could be engineered, it would sound death for Musharraf and his cronies.
Did my position change in the post-Dec 27 world? I don’t think so; I still retained the principled stance of the boycott. But the events witnessed over the past 48 hours do shed a different light on the entire set up.
Boycott the Elections. Stay at home.
Can you? [Access full size here, as I can't get the wordpress editor to process a full image.]
