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.
A few oberservations
Whatever is happening now can just be viewed as power positioning. The Sindh cabinet seats are being distributed and MQM is just showing his hands that although it is in minority but control the things in the biggest urban centres in the country. If you regard this as terrorism and want to ban the party then should we also nuke the FATA area for sending all those suicide bombers and creating dangers for Pakistan by not honoring the law of the land.
The huge hue and cry over MQM is just another chapter we have in our long history of hate. Before not too long ago Mujib was the traitor, Wali Khan was the traitor, GM. Syed was one of them and who can forget the great Akbar Bugti and most of NS was the hijacker lol.
I am not a MQM supporter but i think the civil society should open their eyes too. yesterday Justice Tariq Mehmood identified the member of the Supreme court bar association who was one of those who was having Sher Afgan hostage with an egg in his hand. Should the lawyers start cleaning thier house first by throwing that person out fo the bar association. Pls dont take his clothes as u have done with poor Naim Bokhari.
the only person whom i respect most is Aitzaz Ahsan. Kudos to him and also to Tariq Mehmod for being he voice of reason here.
By Musharraf staying there something we will see this time. People of Pakistan will know how new comers are end up doing the same things Musharraf did. This will show the truth to the people of Pakistan that problem is with the foundation of Pakistan. Country can not stand still on weak foundation and that is exactly our Great and wise President Musharraf understands very well. I pray to Allah he gives his life but do not leave in the hands of evil politicians who are destroying Pakistan for their personal grudges.
@ Atelier
Well said.
Rafay, just because I belong to Karachi does not mean I am MQM supporter. I never voted for MQM or any political party.
Answer me. Have you attented any university in Karachi? Have you lived in Karachi. If not, then you dont know how political parties including MQM and Jamat show their martial strength.
We all need to come out of this “Us and Them” mind set in order to save Pakistan.
It was great gesture on part of Aitzaz Ahsan to show up and try to rescue Sher Afgan even though they were probably not the best friends. Any effort done to stop violence of any sort has to be commended. Whether I agree with Aitzaz or not on politics, his stature as a decent human being has increased in my eyes.
O well. What goes around comes around.
Aitzaz and Co started the fire and now cannot control it.
No, I haven’t read Prof. Michel Chossudovsky and don’t know what he has to say, but I follow the money (as my Crimson gurus say) and the smart money is on the Balkanization along ethnic lines. There are just too many players and too much complexities to deal with and people restraining and opposing “Pakistan Na Kaphay” are loosing favor rather quickly to people who want to install their “own PM in 2013″.
Protests can be done by standing on rood sides by doing hunger strikes etc. Today these Lawyers used for the hate of Musharraf are out of hands because they started it on wrong feet.
Calm the country. Most important thing as a Pakistani is that every Pakistani plays the role of Intelligence of Pakistan.By reporting unusual activities in their neighborhood to the authorties.