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).
Do not forget that Talibans are monster created by ISI and big wigs in the army. And like Frankensteins monster it is trying to destroy its creator. The enemy is within us.
Excellent post Dr. Najam.
The tactic of terrorism endangers ordinary people by reducing them to “collateral damage” or those whose “blood may legitimately be shed”. In short, the attacker acts as judge, jury, and executioner.
Following articles explore relevant themes.
“Terrorism: Theirs and Ours” By Eqbal Ahmed
A Presentation at the University of Colorado, Boulder, October 12, 1998 : http://www.sangam.org/ANALYSIS/Ahmad.htm
The Return of Just Wars? – By Robert Spaemann
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/spaemann3
“Terrorism will prevail if its mentality infects the civilized world, and if state leaders resort to terror to fight terror. Fighting terrorism is not a war, because terrorism itself is not a warring party, but a means to an end. Terrorists, when caught, are subject to criminal sanctions and punishment under the law.
Countries unwilling or unable to prevent terrorist violence emanating from their territory forfeit their right to territorial integrity, and others can declare war on them to pursue the problem at its root. But those who adhere to the motto
The best sugestion for getting out of this morass has been made by Mr Bashar Siddiqui of involving simple, educated & retired Pakistanis to fight elections. Let the legal community who waged a valient struggle for restoration of the independent judiciary take a lead again. Let this begin sooner than later.
You are right. We dont need analysis, we dont need solutions, atleast not right now. We need a minute of silence, minute of mourning. a second to feel the deep hurt that comes only with the death of someone very close and then may be somewhere inside us, we will find that murderer, that enemy thats killing us.
Whats the point anyway…. I feel no hope, I see no hope, and I wish for no solution. End of story.
Are these politicians blind, are these leaders brain dead and are these soliders and police junkies out of the squishy brains.
We are 60+ year old nation with the the thousand year old history of captivity and illiterate traditions. We need to do a lot of things but how and when. Looking at the nature of nature, I truly wonder if we are just puppets in the hand of naturaly phenomenon / cycle of rise and fall of nations. We just happen to be in the era when our nations is simply at the short end of the stick… We are to either flee the scene or turn away. We are doomed or the change has to come from within.
We have to find retired Pakistani over 65 years old. Finance them and ask them to risk their lives, go to pakistan and run for all political offices. Neither PPP, nor MQM or any political party in pakistan will like it. But this is the only option.
Hope we can weed out so called political activist in USA to take advantage of this theory.