Adil Najam
I open the ‘top stories’ page of The News today and two headlines scream out at me. The first tells me that twelve people, including three women and two children have died in a US drone attack in Orakzai. The second tells me that militants have killed five in an ambush on a police van in Dir. All this while the tears from the carnage at Lahore are not yet dry. For what? For whom? Why?
The Americans tell us that they must do what they are doing because they have to stamp out terror. The militants say that they too must do what they are doing because they are fighting the enemies of Islam.
All I know is that it is Pakistanis who continue to do the dying. For what? For whom? Why?
For the life of me I cannot understand how the US thinks it will root out terror by lobbing bombs at Pakistani women and children. Nor how these militants think they are helping Islam or fighting America by killing Muslims and Pakistani, bombing girls schools, or terrorizing civilian populations.
It is obvious that the Americans are not winning their “war on terror” through these tactics. Nor are the militants and extremists making any dent in America or its policies through their terror. Every minute of every day is a reminder of the face that terror has not been “defeated,” nor is Islam any more “safe.” All we know for sure is that innocent Pakistanis are dying. For what? For whom? Why?
The Obama Administration says it will give Pakistan $1.5 billion a year for development. Economists estimate that the war on terror cost Pakistan $6-8 billion last year. I don’t find either number relevant. All I know is that over a thousand Pakistanis died last year in this conflict. For what? For whom? Why?
The newspapers are full of statements and analysis. They offer little solace, and even less insight. They only add to a noise that is now no less deafening than all the bombs themselves. We must speak out and act up against the forces that spread terror in our country. But we cannot remain silent on the deaths of Pakistanis by those who claim to be our friends.
No one seems to care about the death of ordinary Pakistanis. They deaths don’t even merit a statement of condolence, of remorse. Everyone seems to have a ‘great cause’ to fight for. A cause greater than the life of a child, a mother, a father. The Americans have ‘Terror’ to fight. The religious extremists and militants have ‘Islam’ to save. The Pakistan government has no clue who or what they are fighting for, with or against. In the midst of all of this, ordinary Pakistanis become mere ‘collateral.’ For what? For whom? Why?
Today, my words are not the voice of analysis. Today, my voice is the voice of angst. I know that my words will make little difference. I know my voice has neither reach nor influence. But let me say to all and any who may be out there to listen: We are not collateral.
And so, today, once again, its was Pakistanis who died. Pakistanis who cried (1, 2, 3). For what? For whom? Why?
(Note: Pictures above are from funerals of those who died during the terrorist attacks in Lahore).
welll
its a terrible fact that pakistanis are dying on daily basis
but only few people care abt it
i wanna do something
i wanna condemn it
but when i asked people around me to come out
they all thought i have lot of idle time to do all that stuff
i dont know when they will realize that wth each pakistani
we are dying as a nation.
and its high time we should realize that.
It is sickening to open the daily news and read the tragic way this war is being conducted; and I am not even talking about the ethical\moral implications of killing civilians as
And where is Army who played prostitute in whole affair with USA since 1979?
After swat is lost from Pakland, Lahore is already under seige. What else left. Where is Army who is responsible to defend our land?
So where is trillion dollar army now who ate all budget over health, education and development since 1958.
“No more SALAM to Army”.
Adil Sahib,
I am with you…if you study other wars in Palestine, Sudan, etc…same thing happened..it started with small deaths and increased to epic proportions. Still NO ONE cares.
Sure, we feel like by using of internet we are doing analysis but situation on ground remains dire.
I am pretty hard headed but first time in my life I felt scared by seeing situation in Pakistan.
Situation in Pakistan started from FATA, Swat and now it is in Panjab..and will spread more and more.
By stating US should do this or that, nothing will happen.
and nothing good will ever come from our ruling elite.
I am afraid to state that unless people like us run for office both in Pakistan and abroad, situation won’t change.
There should be a dedicated effort to support Pakistanis who want to run for office. Support them by contributing funds, time, extending them your contacts etc.
Hopefully in next election, new bread of sincere Pakistani legislature brings some change.
If we choose not to do it and keep our focus on our own careers, there is chance that we won’t have Pakistan like we have when we were born!
Lets NOT become part of another Udas Naslain and say to our kids “Sorry beta…ham kuch naheen kar sakay…aap he kuch karain”
So my question to readers is:
Who wants to run for office and what support you need from us ?
If you cannot run for office, will you support others ?
It would be great to do a poll in these questions
Dear Adil
This is moving and heartfelt stuff. You express the feelings and pain of so many of us Paksitanis. Why are people who claim to be our friends (the USA as well as the Taliban) both killing our people. Is that supposed to make us feel safe or like them? How?
Thank you for writing your heart out and speaking for all of us.