Adil Najam
To view such a video and assume that all of Pakistan is against the Taliban would be as delusional as the proposition that all of Pakistan is for them is deceptive.
The point of this video is not that all Pakistanis are opposed to Talibanization. It is that not all Pakistanis are for them.
The distinction between the two is subtle, but vital. The video puts to a lie the notion that anti-Taliban sentiment are to be found only in the so-called “liberal” and “elite” classes. Indeed, the empirical fact is that the people who the Taliban and other religious extremist forces have been killing in Pakistan are (a) nearly all Pakistanis, (b) nearly all Muslims, and (c) none of them are either very “liberal” or very “elite.”
It should not be a surprise, then, that at least some, probably many, and possibly most, “non-liberal,” “non-elite,” Pakistani Muslims would be against the Taliban and the war they are waging on Pakistan, Pakistanis and on Pakistani Muslims. The tragedy is that too many Pakistanis remain agnostic on the Talibanization threat and even more who are afraid of or reluctant to raise their voices against them.
There is clearly a need to counter the propaganda of those who would have us believe that the Taliban are opposed only by a few “liberal elites.” But equally important - even more important - is the need to acknowledge and somehow deal with the deep fissures and divisions within Pakistani society. Indeed, if there is any one unambiguous truth about Pakistan today it is that we are a deeply divided society. Deeply divided on many of the most existential questions about the country’s past, present and future: Including on questions of what the Taliban represent and how they should be dealt with. It is this division that the Taliban are exploiting. Until these societal fissures are somehow addressed neither military action, nor political strategy, nor international intervention will make any difference whatsoever.
@ Zecchetti: Sure there are (few) people who support taliban but only a kafir & enemy of the great Pakistan or a total idiot will make (produce) such a video that shows support for taliban.
PRODUCER OF THIS VIDEO IS UNKNOWINGLY FURTHER DIVIDING PAKISTAN:
The video in this blog is “DANGEROUS” because it is showing 99.9% punjabi people. Which is reflecting (or can reflect) the fact that ONLY punjabies are against Talibans (or even Pakhtoons) - The video would have been correct if all ethnic groups specially pakhtoons were shown with same reactions.
Please use common sense while producing future videos.
Just one more point > MQM must not lose a golden chance to embrace pakhtoon brothers coming in karachi. Thanks
I guess every Pakistani who have a sense of talibanaization, is opposing talibanization. Lets just come up to the fact that this Taliban which would be not more than 1000 or 2000 maximum, can just come up and capture Islamabad on a instant. And I don’t think that Taliban is also thinking or if they have ever given statement of any kind of this or if they have shown any interest in this, so I guess it is just a conspiracy from our beloved so called friend AMERICA to make sure that Pakistan is being so pressurized to start operation in buner and dir. On the other hand I think we are the one who is giving invitation to the whole world to just come up and comment on us that yes Pakistan is a state which is giving room to talibans. WHY….. I think Pak Army is much capable to destroy and clean up every single Taliban from our country, so what they are waiting for. Why our politicians are stuck in swat accord as we clearly see that Taliban is violating it on regular basis.
Talibanization is a REAL threat but the current issue is FAKE ( if you understand what i mean)
Keeping KARACHI in view here is what i have to say :
http://karachi.metblogs.com/2009/05/03/imran-khan- banned-from-entering-karachi-for-the-4th-time/comm ent-page-1/#comment-72095
Good video sir !
It simply show the sentiments of ordinary Pakistanis who have to bear the damage of terrorists’ actions. Such videos should have their place in the mainstream media, so that the world may know what people of Pakistan think.
This video makes a good point that there are parties from among the ordinary working class that oppose the Taleban based on what the media has fed them.
But how about a video showcasing ordinaries that support them? There must be many because it is simply incomprehensible that they’ve achieved so much success in their cause without at least some factions of the public to support them and join them. Let’s hear the other side for once.
Very good video. Do pass around. These Taliban supporters, here and elsewhere are claiming that ordinary Pakistanis all support Taliban. This clearly shows that is not the case.
This video gives me much more faith in ordinary Pakistani.
Ordinary Pakistanis everywhere are against the Taliban. Even those who want Islamic Shariah realize that these are just thugs and murderers and do not support them