Adil Najam
This photograph of lawyer leader Aitzaz Ahsan on top of an ambulance putting his hand together and begging for peace and a stop to the needless violence by some who are ’supposedly’ his supporters, speaks volumes. It speaks volumes about Aitizaz Ahsan; volumes about the culture of anger and violence that has gripped Pakistan, and volumes about the the state of Pakistan politics. A sense of anger and angst continues to define Pakistan.
Read also, Aitizaz Ahsan’s letter to his fellow lawyers, back in December.
Whether the violence is the result of nefarious ‘agency’ designs to discredit the lawyers movement or the disgruntlement of frustrations within the movement, it does not bode well for the country and for democracy in the country. It may serve the short-term interests of some, but it cannot be in the long-term interests of Pakistan.
The pictures (above) of mayhem and violence on the streets of Pakistan are are equally articulate about the state of affairs in Pakistan.
All of us, in one or the other, feel the pain and unfortunate reality of the situation. Thinking of a better tomorrow can coexist with recognition of an ugly today. My point is that there is a way to engage in productive discourse, that builds character and institutions, that does not tear everything down. If all we do is focus on what divides us for the sake of winning a rhetorical point - and I see this is life as well as in blogs - we get nowhere. Thats all.
I agree with Syed Ali Raza’s message. Pakistan is in dire straits. We better open our eyes and accept the fact that we as a nation have failed to live up to dreams for which this nation was created. People aspired to have bright future not a violent one.
We as nation must hold ourselves to higher standards. For that to happen you have to call a spade, a spade.
Why is Aitizaz Ahsan the only person trying to stop the violence? My respect for him has gone up again even more.
And our President is again missing in action. Just like he was silent the last time when Karachi burned, he is again silent today. Unfortunately so are the politicians.
Shameful how people like Syed Ali Raza and RJ who have been defending the military here so long are finally showing their true colors by being happy at this violence and calling for the breakup of Pakistan. Their anti-Pakistan agenda is now clear and their hatred for ordinary Pakistanis and their loss of life is clear. Shameful.
“One ethnicity ruling over the others” - and so continues the “blame anyone but ourselves” charade in Pakistan, and the Muslim world in general.
Its the Amreeki, the Yahoodi, the Hindu, the Punjabi, the intelligence agencies….
People need to have the courage for introspection and recognize and admit our own faults.
I agree with SJH. Pseudo-intellectualism is one thing but purposely divisive comments in times like this are really propaganda of the worst kind.
I agree with Syed Ali Raza, and because he spoke the truth some people can’t digest it. I also have been saying this since long long time that Pakistan recently became very polarized and credit goes to Media and so called the champions of democracy including some of the most active intellectuals on this forum.
RJ
I know that this site tries to keep the level of discourse thoughtful and serious but idiotic and pompous rubbish like “Pakistan is Yugoslavia of South Asia …” cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. All are free to express their opinion but then others like me are also free to point out that the moronic views of Syed Ali Raza serve no useful purpose other than to make everyone else feel intellectually superior.