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.
Dear Mr. Mustafa Kamal, from your message I guess you are referring to yourself when you say “English speaking intelligentsia”.
Can you also please verify who has appointed you the spokesman for the “common Pakistani”?
Also, you say “here in Pakistan”, can you please tell us where in Pakistan you are writing. Remember, Allah knows the truth in our hearts!
I agree it’s complicated. But demonization of the enemy and killing or Guantanamizing him does not solve the problem. President Manuel Antonio Noriega was kidnapped from his country twenty years ago by powerful foreign forces and carried to another country, which acted as prosecutor, judge and jury, and locked him up for good. The allegations were drugs. Name me one high school in America today where a lot of kids don’t do drugs. So tell me what solution you’re asking for here — are you just looking to get high by burning the Taliban’s beards, blowing up their bases, and watching the rubble bounce, or do you want to end the pain and crying of the mothers and sisters in the images. The so-called war on terror is being fought, IMHO, like the lost war on drugs. I despise the stupid Taliban and dirty Mullah’s, but also believe that if ever they’re brought to trial, as some of you are dreaming on this blog, their trial would be similar to the ones for Gen. Noriega and those held in Guantanamo. Let’s face it: The Taliban may be plenty evil, but they sure do NOT enjoy monopoly over evil. Since their evil was NOT nipped in its bud, rather was cultivated and nourished by bigger evil forces, don’t expect it to go away any time soon! :(
It is very complicated and one single thing can not solve the Taliban issue. What we can do is to turn the public of Pakistan against the Taliban. I think media (TV channels, newspapers, radio, etc.) can play very important role here. Invite real scholars of Islam and have them speak against the suicide bombings on TV, radio and in the mosques. Show the innocent families who lost the loved ones on TV. Turn the people of Pakistan against extremism.
Secondly, we have to see the reasons for this extremism. It is the government’s job to provide people more economic opportunities, jobs, better education to people of Pakistan in general and NWFP in particular. There may be some upper class and rich people fighting (or killing) in the name of Islam but the foot soldiers (suicide bombers) are always the poor people. And please stop blaming everything on America and take the blame for our own actions.
More Blasts!
ATTOCK: Four people were injured after three blasts happened in a CD Plaza early morning in District Attack of Punjab here on Sunday.
http://www.geo.tv/8-24-2008/23386.htm
Eduction is the only solution for this murderous cycle we are caught in. As long as we are lead by the Zardaries, Shariefs, and Musharrafs of the world, this will mayhem will remain our destiny. Instead of educating the poor, these selfish bastards are either lining their pockets with billions of dollars or feeding their egos. And I strongly believe that either they are directly involved in these atrocities, or benefiting them one way or an other. Does any one honestly believe that the good of the poor is their motivation?