Adil Najam
Pakistan is in tears today. Yet again.
70+ people are dead in Wah today, as yet another cursed suicide bomber targets Pakistan and Pakistanis. The Tehrik-i-Taliban has taken responsibility for them. Only two days ago, 32 people were killed in a suicide attack on a hospital in the northern town of Dera Ismail Khan. Meanwhile incursions and attacks into Pakistani territory by American forces continue and fighting between militants and Pakistani forces rages in Bajur and other areas, killing even more.
In what continues to be war on and in Pakistan, Pakistanis continue to die. Pakistan continues to cry.
Some will call it the largest legacy of the Musharraf years. Some will read unstated messages within this murder and mayhem by these killers. Others will see it as the price in dead bodies that Pakistan pays in the War on Terror. Yet others will remind us that this is reaping what Gen. Zia-ul-haq sowed. There will be, I am sure, plenty more pontifications too - ranging from the absurd to the absurdly profound.
All I know is that today, yet again, Pakistanis die. Pakistan continues to cry.
Why must this murder and mayhem continue? I ask. When will it end? These, of course, are absurd questions themselves. Because we all know the answers. It will continue for as long as we let the killers kill and support their murders with our silence. Silence, of course, also kills. And some are condemned to cry silently.
For the love of God stop acting like ostriches (or pigeons since there is soooo much emphasis on religion) …. quit blaming Americans and the “Western world” for all our miseries … John Smith and Joe Blow are not blowing themselves up to kill us, ironically it is Mohammed Shafiq and Mustafa Ahmed who have been brain washed by the perverted view of Islam by the Mullahs. It is the ignorance of not questioning anything that is leading people to blindly follow these mullahs and kill themselves and innocent people. ANYONE who says either you follow my religion exactly as I do or else you are liable to die is NOT even a human being let alone a Muslim.
Mustafa:
The Taliban are terrorists who sabotage infrastructure, send suicide bombers, explode car bombs, kill civilians, police, and army, burn down girls schools and attack businesses and NGO’s.
That makes the Taliban evil and un-Islamic. You need to develop the courage to call a terrorist a terrorist.
Bhai Mustafa
Who are you defending
The Taliban have themselves claimed responsibility for these murders
They are saying they did this and are proud of commuting these murders and you are telling us theyvare Bholey badshahs!
Yaar bholey badshah you aap go!
Do you even live in the same Pakistan as us?
Hello Mr. Umar. I am no supporter of violence. If Talibans are found guilty of violence, they should be punished severely. My objection is against blaming everything on Talibans even without a fair trial. Most of the Talibans I have met are simple and pious Muslims. Much better than Musharraf, Zardari and Sharif. They are honest and truthful people who follow the simple teachings of Islam in contrast to our politicians who lead a corrupt and lavish lifestyle.
Please do not be misled by western and English media propaganda. Compare the frugal and ascetic lifestyle of Talibans with the lavishness of our political leadership and decide for yourself who is on the straight path of Islam.
Unless we acknowledge the growing Taliban threat and join the fight against the ruthless killers, we are all in for a very dark future indeed. Here’s a brief poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller about Nazi Germany:
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
- Pastor Martin Niemoller
From some of the comments on this blog and recent public opinion surveys in Pakistan, it seems that many Pakistanis continue to sit on the fence in this war against the Taliban terrorists.
To read more, please visit:
http://www.riazhaq.com/2008/08/taliban-killing-spr ee-claims-more.html
Individuals like Mustafa Kamal and Ibrahim prove what I’ve been saying… that there is plenty of support in Pakistan for these criminals… the war against the Taliban might succeed on the military front, but how will we change the mindset of the Mustafa Kamals and Ibrahims of this world?
There is a depressing editorial in the Daily Times… it is titled “”Mind Forming” Effect of Terrorism”… after reading the title, I thought the writer would be commenting on how these attacks will perhaps force the pro-Taliban elements in society to see the light of day and call a spade a spade… instead, the editorial contends that it is having the opposite effect… if the writer is correct, it is depressing indeed…
http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20088\23 \story_23-8-2008_pg3_1
Mustafa Kamal and Wassalam. What world do you live in?
The Talkban hVe themselves said that they did this. They made the statement to the press. They also said they will kill more Pakistanis. What other proof do you want? You think your favorite custodians of Islam are lying about this?
These Taliban not only enjoy killing Muslims that is thief mission. Muslims and Islam are the biggest threat to their crazy religion of hatred and murder. What these Taliban and thier apologists believe is certain NOT Islam!
Their desire to destroy Pakistan same way as they did Afghanistan is also clear. People with these beliefs never wanted Pakistan. That is why the mullahs opposed Pakistan. Their crazy idea of Ummah requires that all countries and states that are Muslim be destroyed first. That is why you see that all Taliban types hate it when people talk abut those country. If people mention Pakistan they hate it because nations don’t fit into their plan and certainly Pakistan does not.
People on this forum are jumping on Talibans as if they are the source of all evil in Pakistan. AFAIK, so far Talibans have not been convicted in any court of law. All propaganda against them is based on conjectures and lies. We do not have the courage to say that Americans and Indians are behind the crisis in Pakistan. Therefore we have found an easy scapegoat in poor Talibans. Their only fault is that they are lovers of our Rasool (PBUH) and Islamic values.
Just think over it:
If Pakistan is destroyed, do Talibans gain anything? The answer is “No”. They need Pakistan to practice Islam.
If Pakistan is destroyed, do Indians gain anything? The answer is a resounding “Yes”.