Another bomb attack in Lahore. What to expect from the PMLN government in the Punjab? Lip service condemning terrorism, of course. But, as usual, keeping in mind the Punjab government’s past record, the condemnation will be general and vague.
Even as the PPP-led coalition government in Islamabad will not hesitate to take names – they’ll point to the Taliban or the many sectarian organisations working as Al Qaeda’s foot soldiers – it is expected that the Punjab government under the PMLN will not.
Determining which forces are hell-bent on mutilating the country is not rocket science. But brace yourself (yet again) to be bombarded by the PMLN leadership and the usual intransigent suspects on TV channels talking generalised nonsense about terrorism and the ubiquitous ‘foreign hand,’ consequently drowning out the obvious involvement of any of the many extremist organisations running amok in Pakistan’s largest province.
But why the Punjab? Although it has been ravaged and broken by extremist terrorism for over two years now, political parties strong in the Punjab (such as the PMLN), the Punjabi-dominant electronic media, and fringe Punjab-based politicos such as Imran Khan have simply refused to acknowledge reality.
Still operating from the fanciful high pedestal of a superiority complex, a bulk of urban Punjab and its leadership continues to live in a stunning, air-tight state of denial.
Whereas in Karachi one can find a majority of common men and women unafraid to air their distaste for the extremists, and walls can be seen adorned with slogans such as ‘Taliban raj namanzoor’ (Taliban regime not acceptable), ‘Taliban sey hoshiar’ (beware of the Taliban), and, my favourite, a slogan found scribbled in a thick coat of black on a wall in a rundown lower-middle-class area of the city, ‘Mulla Omar dajjal’ (Mulla Omar the devil), one just cannot expect such voices and scenes in the Punjab, at least not in Lahore.
Why not? How can a province and a city (Lahore), devastated over and again and plunged into the depths of chaos and fear perpetrated by monsters such as the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and the province’s many clandestine sectarian organisations, simply refuse to face its most ubiquitous tormenters and demons? Why the fearful silence by its people, and why the spin, the vagueness, and ultimate derailing of the issue by the electronic media?
Punjab is suffering. And it is not only from extremist terrorism. It is as if every time its leadership and people attempt to awkwardly repress the obvious lashings of fear and confusion that cut viciously across the province whenever there is a terrorist attack, they become more vocal in their condemnation of the present government at the centre, incredibly investing more emotional and intellectual energy on abstract issues such as corruption, judiciary, and ‘good governance’ through passionate displays of TV studio and drawing-room nobility, rather than directly tackling their greatest enemy.
Funny thing is, they would readily accuse the president of corruption and the US and India for having nefarious designs on Pakistan without offering an iota of evidence, but would get into a long navel-gazing exercise asking for proof of militant involvement in a terrorist attack.
Again, why? Why in the Punjab? Are the Sindhis and Karachiites more enlightened, liberal, moderate or whatever? Some of my most intelligent friends are from the Punjab, as was my father. And so I keep asking these friends, why isn’t the Punjab fighting back this menace of extremism? Why have most of this province’s brightest minds allowed themselves to be pushed in the background by this new breed of neoconservative ‘intellectuals’ in the shape of TV talk show hosts, ‘journalists,’ ‘analysts,’ et al?
I will continue by relating two small but relevant incidents that may help clarify what I am rambling about.
In a province that has been witnessing nauseating bloodshed perpetrated by those who have a painfully narrow view of Islam and are least hesitant to slaughter innocent men, women and children in their pursuit of both heaven and the shariah, one of the Punjab’s leading politicians and ministers did not find anything wrong in accompanying the leader of a banned sectarian organisation during a recent election campaign.
The minister was PMLN’s Rana Sanaullah, who proudly stood beside a notorious leader of a banned sectarian organisation during a by-election rally in Jhang. This organisation openly sympathises with the Taliban.
Only in the Punjab can such an episode take place. Only in the Punjab can a minister can get away with holding hands with a myopic violent fanatic and, in the process, openly mocking and insulting the feelings of hundreds of Punjabis whose loved ones were brutally slaughtered by the extremists that the fanatic sympathises with. Only in the Punjab can his party then go around and ask for votes from the same people. Yes, only in the Punjab.
One can also mention a recent incident that involves Zaid Hamid to hit home the point I am trying to make.
Mr. Hamid, a hyperbolic TV personality who is an animated cross between a foaming televangelist and an impassionate right-wing drawing room revolutionary, has been on a ‘speaking tour’ of various colleges and universities of the country.
Known for openly holding (and advocating) gun-loving militarist hogwash, Hamid has turned distorting history and dishing out the most twisted conspiracy theories not only into an attractive art form, but a lucrative undertaking as well.
Hailed as a modern Saladin (of the armchair variety, I’m afraid) by his mostly urban, middle-class fans, and flogged as a hate-monger with links to the most rabidly anti-India and reactionary sections of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies by his many detractors, it has been very easy for Hamid to speak at Lahore’s private universities and colleges.
This included a visit to the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) that only two years ago was the scene of a lively students’ movement against the dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf.
If the student body of the prestigious university found Musharraf’s action of dismissing a chief justice unbearable, I wonder what was so bearable about a man who is not only a self-claimed supporter of the ex-dictator, but also a proud war monger whose fans are famous of uttering insightful gems such as “if the Pakistan Army was really guilty of raping Bengali women in former East Pakistan, then they had every right to because Bengalis were traitors!”
Nonetheless, after smoothly completing his ‘Wake up, Pakistan’ speaking tour of Punjab’s campuses, Hamid and his entourage of trendy, designer reactionaries, made their way towards the country’s most ravaged province, the Pakhtunkhwa.
Faced by an insane spate of suicide and bomb attacks by extremists and the military’s war against the Taliban, the youth of the Pakhtunkwa province have shown great resolve to fight back. Student organisations in various state-run universities and colleges of the province have gone on to organise cultural functions that the extremists would term ‘haraam’ and ‘unIslamic.’
Just like the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) in Balochistan, the Peoples Students Federation (PSF), and the All Pakistan Muttahidda Students Organisation (APMSO) in Sindh, students’ organizations of the Pakhtunkhwa have continued to fight a cultural war against extremism, even when a recent cultural function organised at a university by the BSO in Balochistan’s Khuzdar area was bombed by extremists.
So when Hamid and his army of patriots reached Peshawar University, he was confronted by loud groups of protesting students who wanted him banished from the campus.
The protest, perhaps the first of its kind faced by the likes of Hamid, was organised by the Peoples Students Federation (the student-wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party), the Pakhtun Students Federation (the student-wing of the Awami National Party), and the independent collection of liberal students under the Aman Tehreek umbrella. What’s more, also joining in the protest was the Islami Jamiat Taliba, a student organisation whose mother party, the Jamaat-i-Islami, ironically sympathises with the Taliban.
As the students threw stones at Hamid’s entourage and tried to chase him off the campus, the Aman Tehreek explained exactly why democratic student organisations had joined hands to throw him out.
“We have already suffered a lot due to the suicide bombers and militants and do not want people (in our city and campuses) who promote the extremists,” said an Aman Tehreek activist talking to Dawn.
In light of this example, it seems Punjab’s political leadership is out of sync with the prevailing psyche in Sindh, Balochistan, and the Pakhtunkhwa regarding Pakistan’s war against extremism.
The people and politicians of Punjab need to contemplate difficult questions before they can rid their province of the violence that it has had to face. More so, the confused mindset that is causing violence to be bred and sustained in the Punjab must be eliminated.
Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I’m willing to suspend my disbelief to enjoy a good show
We are brothers. yes. I am from Pind dadan Khan and hunza. Now I live in new Delhi
We need to behave like brothers. Yes.
I am a nationalist. I have always advocated a very hard line but the way trouble is being fanned by the most evil nation in the world, the USA, makes me write this.
More arms, more strength to the ISI, the poor people of Pakistan will be the worst hit. India will plod on.
But we can live together. But We don’t even try.
nice. thanks
Nadeem Sahib this is wonderful.
Why are we more ready to blame India every time there’s a terrorist attack, than condemn the obvious perpetrators/demand better governance from our government?
I think you are doing our country a great service. Please keep them coming.
For those who are making a big deal out of Shahbaz Sharif’s statement should realize that Shahbaz Sharif is not a prime minister but a chief Minister.
So? Is it Okay for a chief minister of a state to
- encourage a group that is oppressing and terrorising the whole country?
- claim that the values of his party are the same as the terrorist group?
A requirement of every Pakistani citizen is to be loyal to Pakistan – not just the Prime Minister of Pakistan. So as a very privileged citizen of Pakistan, has he done his duty of being patriotic to Pakistan by supporting the same TTP, that the country’s army is trying to fight a war with?
Then he should keep himself to the province stop his incessant nonsense about corruption and amendments to PAKISTAN’s constitution.
I second Mr. Paracha. Please Punjab wake up!!!
Very timely wake-up call.
Its not the people of Punjab,but their system to grab the entire country to rule,
through 90% military, 95% police ,85% beaurocracy,70% judiciary, 90% religious
extremism since 1958, that has brought this unfortunate country to this state.
History is the best reminder, but who cares? East Pakistan is long forgotten.
Every one must get his rightful share, or history will repeat itself.
What nonsense! Is the response of any other provincial government different from Punjab provincial government after a terror attack? I can think of differences that defeat your point, but all of them seem to be doing what you mentioned: condemnation. Get a life!
Punjab’s government is not even doing the condemnation. Instead it is trying to reason with the Taliban, given them legitamacy and pleading with them!
I couldn’t agree more with NFP. Our people are suffering really bad and yet PMLN it seems is living in a completely different planet. PMLN needs to sort its priorities. All the hullabaloo about corruption and 14th amendment and judiciary ill behooves a party that has yet to unequivocally renounce terrorism. It is sad that these members of the so called “educated” political elite are misleading the common man on street who already had myriad problems to face even before the specter of terrorism came to haunt us.
I really hope that sanity prevails soon.
Once again, NFP has raised some very important points. The ruling partyof Punjab needs to wake up and accept that there is a serious problem facing the region’s inhabitants and that steps must be taken to address the situation. We must say enough is enough. Punjab deseves better. And Pakistan deserve better.
Nadeem,
Your always object Imran Khan. Can you tell me is there is something wrong with his party vision? if so highlights that and if not then plsease be positive.
You are a biased writer.
You never mentioned about the popular vote he got in bye elections at Lahore, Swat and Lakii except you mentioned Rawalpindi.
Is Imran committed to democracy?
- If so would he have supported Musharraf in 1999 in deposing an elected government?
- would he not have held party elections at least once?
- would his party’s constitution give hi as an individual the right to expel anyone at will?
Is he as pro-Islam /anti_USA as he claims?
- what does Islam say about having a child with a woman who is not his wife?
- after Musharraf’s post 9-11 U-turn in supporting USA and opposing the Taliban, why did he continue to support Musharraf in 2002?
- he makes fun of Westernised Pakistani youth as people who really do not know the religion. Why does he not raise his own sons as Muslims?
- Why is he constantly meeting senators from US and giving press conferences and visiting that country regularly?
Does he truly believe in equal justice for all?
- Why then does he feel that Aafia should not face consequences despite being convicted by court of law? Why does he not speak up in favour of hundreds of Baloch women who are in a worse situation in their own country?
- why does he not submit to the ruling of the Los Angeles court against him?
- Does he only support those rulings that he favours and oppose those that against him /his opinions? Is that his concept of equality before law?
Imran Khan’s parties vision is compromise with Taliban, No commitment to democracy is also seen through the fact that in 13 years PTI has never had an organizational election. The lack of commitment to rule of law is seen by Imran himself being unwilling to submit to a law court in Los Angeles. On the one hand, he says law should apply to everyone including Zardari and yet he says Aafia Siddiqui’s conviction should be ignored. Too many contradictions.
No, such a biased article.
Well though I don’t agree with the writer that Punjabi people and its Government does not care much about terrorism and enlighted enough but I do agree that all the Pakistani’s need to come more closer to reality on terrorism and condemn in its strongest terms. The Government of PML (N) should also do the same.
You don’t have any right to write “the Pakhtunkhwa”. Unless or until it has been written in our constitution. And at the same time give some positive suggestions instead of only pointing fingers.
Ever heard of freedom of expression?
Excellent piece as usual by Nadeem.
The extremist needs to be condemned and eliminated, whether the one with a gun or the one with a microphone.
Why Punjab? Are the Sindhis and Karachiites more enlightened, liberal, moderate?
It is very easy to blame the Government after every terrorist incident. The Government cannot keep a watch on what every citizen is doing. Pakistan is facing a very difficult situation. Citizens should help the Police by reporting every shady activity going on in their neighborhood. The Police force should be increased by at least 50% and sufficient resources should be invested on their training. It is the beat Constable who has to be empowered as he can easily monitor who is coming and going, in every Moholla. Secondly, access to education must be provided to every citizen. Make education free at school level so that the poor are not forced to send their children to Madarassas. In many states in India the literacy improved dramatically when the local Government introduced free mid day meals in all Government schools. The poor who sent their children to work started sending them to school.
Islam is a religion of brotherhood and Love, not violence. Those disturbing Society and practicing violence must be held and expeditiously prosecuted like ordinary Criminals.
You have raised a very valid concerns.
NFP keep it up. You have the courage to write the truth.
You are talking what the media has taught you.
High time, we should call back General Musharaf to fix this situation.
How can you say that. Dictatorship is the reason we have the current mess. If the General was a big part of the problem, how can he ever be part of the solution? No one doubts that Pakistan has done a good job of putting the terrorists and criminals on the run over the last year or so. Some terrorist may continue to attack innocents senselessly but all Pakistanis condemn their actions. The criminals know that their days are numbered despite some desperate attempts to bomb innocent people and government places.
I must say, the LUMS episode has been blown way out of proportion, not only by NFP but also by most of the readers and worthy people who have just not bothered to know the facts and just believed what has been written. I am a LUMS alumni and I was there at the time when Zaid Hamid was invited to speak. People who have just heard about LUMS and have never been there have a very different point of view about the institution. It is one institute which truly grooms its students in a variety of ways. All of the activities taking place in LUMS that make headlines are purely organized by students. There are a number of student societies and executive clubs which carry out variety of activities, be it an entertainment event, a corporate confluence, a business games competition, a young entrepreneurs summit or a guest speaker session.
The student societies at LUMS have invited a number of people both from right and left to hear their point of view. If somebody is invited to speak at an institution, it does not imply by any measure that the institution hails that person. And had NFP or any other person been present in that session where Zaid Hamid spoke, they would have seen how Zaid Hamid was grilled by students when it came to the question hour. Plus, Zaid Hamid was not the only one who has spoken at LUMS. Haider Abbad Rizvi from MQM was also invited to speak to LUMS students. Imran Khan has been to LUMS, Ehsan Iqbal has spoken there, Junaid Jamshed has been there and many other prominent people from the political scene. So pointing the finger at LUMS just because of the fact that Zaid Hamid was invited to speak there is not appropriate. If NFP wants that the students of LUMS should have protested the way students did from Peshawar University, then i must say that one should act in a civilized manner to express his/her point of view. Throwing stones at the entourage, in my opinion, does not present a very good and plausible way of expressing your feelings.
Dear AK,
I believe that if Zaid Hamid represents extreme right then NFP represents extreme left. Both are bias and try to promote their own point of views. Both of them are finding admirers and are thinking that they are bringing a silent revolution.
I agree with you Musa. It is up to the audience to decide.
Anti Taliban graffiti in Karachi, does not make it violence free. Zaid Hamid can speak and has the ability to win hearts, like a war hero. He has the ability to boil your blood while you lay back. We need people like Zaid, who can wake us up! Army is our hero, Pakistanis are our heroes, Americans aren’t. Punjab is by far much better than Sindh in terms of tackling the crime.
Looks like there are millions in Pakistan who live in complete denial and lies.
Propaganda is easy to spread in Pakistan and get people to believe them.
Trust me it would take a lot more in any country.
Dear Mr. NFP…Let me inform you that I’m born Lahori…and i don’t take your words once it for all. The idea that my brothers in Sindh are much enlighten and moderate doesn’t impress me neither does the words moderate. I’m proud Pakistani, Punjabi Muslim who doesn’t believe in the version of Taliban’s Islam and neither does the rest (99%) of Lahore or Punjab. Now you can argue that people don’t raise their voice and slogans and that is because may be we have not witnessed great tragedies in our city like people in Karachi..so people of Karachi are much mature, aware of the fact that what a bullet or a bomb can do to innocent human. I think we should be proactive in declaring that we follow the Islam according to the HOLY Quran and teachings of Propeht MUHAMMED (P.B.U.H) and not of these terrorist…I ask my brothers in Lahore to voice their condemnation in such a way so that you don’t have to write another article on that…..come on Lahore and Punjab, show them the Islam of Sufi’s…..Take Care N.F.P!
Well said Abbas, the fact that religious parties got less than 4% votes in recent by elections in Rawalpindi is not enough to convince Mr. Paracha that Punjabis are moderate people.
But what about PML-N? A party that openly says its values are similar to Taliban? Whose leaders openly meet leaders of banned militant outfits?
“The media is Punjabi dominated” what a wrong statement. Most of the private TV channels and their newspapers are all operated from Karachi. The media actually is and has been Karachi dominated since the birth of Pakistan. No wonder you never see or hear any criticism of MQM anywhere. In 64 years hardly a small minority of our PMs and presidents have been from Punjab and still Punjab is blamed for ruling over everyone. Similar false propaganda is being dished out by NFP now by claiming that the media is Punjabi dominated. You have lost credibility in order to further your own agendas and biases.
Well said.
Pakistan seems to be controlled by a committee (army) comprising of generals with different agendas. Politicians may be corrupt but at any one point you know who is in charge with a strong democratic govt. Dictatorship is almost always bad but even then you have one person that can be negotiated with. As of today you have Zaid & Gul and kin, Pakistan Taliban, Afghan Taliban, Army, ISI, Lakshar (several) and the elected govt. Even the supreme court justice makes noises every now and then? Most other countries people wouldn’t know who their Chief of Army, Chief of Intelligence Services or Supreme Court Justice is. Everybody in Pakistan is operating tactically with no strategy for the nation. In a way, Pakistan should pray for America’s success in the war, because that is likely to stabilize Pakistan sooner than it can do it by itself…the sooner the Pakistani’s realize that this is a war against its own army and intelligence services the better it is…think of the children and the future generation.
I agree with Mr Moeed. It is a very disappointing piece of writing that is promoting ethnic strife in Pakistan. Once again, Mr NFP has blamed the people of Punjab for something that they are not responsible for. The government justifiably gets the blame for ignoring the issue, but certainly not the people.
The fact that there is no wall chalking in Lahore nor any militant reaction to the Taliban reflects the more mature response of the people. The fact that Lahori students don’t throw stones on people speaks of the quality of their person and their education. The fact is, that the “educated” students must hear both sides of the picture. Restraining people like Mr Zaid Hamid would be pretty much similar to the censorship tactics of the Zia/Musharraf era. Our intellectual development depends on hearing both sides of the story. By the same token, should people like you be banned from talking in Lahore or Punjab? Certainly not. You have the right to share your opinion and we must be intelligent enough to realize the weak arguments in writings such as these.
Please, please, Mr NFP. Leave Punjab alone. We are Pakistanis foremost, feel the pain of every other Pakistani.
It is funny that a slightly critical article is dismissed as “promoting ethnic strife” by the same people who are happy to raise the provincial card whenever it comes to reserving more resources for them. Don’t you think that when Punjab insists upon having a lion share of “quotas” for jobs and college seats as well as that of water and state money earned elsewhere, it promotes “ethnic strife” to a much much greater extent?
Well said and I agree with you. But NFP will not listen.
Hi NFP,
I am one of your silent readers from Hyderabad, India.
I do not know first hand about the situation in Pakistan Punjab (especially the present frame of mind of the people). What you have described may very well be true, for all I know. But you know what, for all I know, it may as well be not true.
I would definitely not call this one of your better written pieces. You have given some opinions, but have almost nowhere backed them with facts. Someone has rightly pointed out that the mood of a city cannot be gauged by a few graffiti here and there. In the same manner, LUMS inviting Hamid does not mean that LUMS have been swept in a wave of extremism. On the other hand, this does show them as open and transparent. What would you say if the faculty/ student body discussed about what Hamid had said after he had gone and come to the conclusion that it was hogwash? That would be even better that not inviting him at all, wouldn’t it? Did you explore that angle?
I have the highest respect for your intentions and I do think that you can make the difference. Everybody wants the world in general, and Pakistan and India in particular to be out of the grip of extremism. However, words written towards this direction have to be more measured than this article.
Great point you make, very non-biased like most Indian readers who simply think every Pakistani is an extremist. Thanks for being an open minded and connecting with mind-like people. You will find Pakistanis are very moderate and pro-India. People like Hamid could not make any changes despite all the free time he gets on the main stream media.
Sufi bhai,
Just as you say that most Pakistanis are moderate and pro-India, you will find that most Indians have no interest in a war which destroys both countries.SO your assumption that most Indians are anti-Pak is not correct. In both countries the moderate majorities tend to be silent.
I hope Pakistan is able to vanquish these terrorists and finds peace.
Well said Aniket.
I fully agree with NFP. Keep it up!
I request all Punjabi people please wake up!!
I love reading Nadeem’s writings. Keep up the good work!!
Yet another misguided analysis by a confused writer. Why are you so against Imran Khan and certain parties? It’s time to grow up and start to be an objective journalist. Terrorists and criminals are being defeated throughout the country. Sure there will be the invariable backlash from the criminals still operating but overall they are being defeated by Pakistan. A great part of that effort to defeat the criminals has come from the very Punjab government you seem to accuse of apathy. Why are the majority of people of Punjab happy with their elected representatives? They work and provide results.
Talk to anyone outside of Punjab province and they envy the level of responsibility given by Shahbaz Sharif. If he stays in the Punjab government for another 3 years, you will see the Punjab modernize further.
People like Z.H. will destroy Pakistan, all he knows is hate and lies. He is not doing any good to the situation in the country. Good work Nadeem, people like Z.H should be exposed.
Regardless who we blame for these continuous string of attacks and tragedies, in the end, it is the responsibility of the leadership to protect their citizens, but they are too weak to have a grip on it unfortunately. Also unfortunately, it shows how weak and unsafe the democratic rule is in Pakistan. Nothing to be proud of. It has for sure compromised it’s security and the lives, well being and dignity of it’s people.
A great article indeed. But all is not lost. But before we can cure our ills, we must know what ails us. There is an insightful article on the current situation in the latest issue of the Newsweek of dated March 15, titled Terror Has a New Name. And this new and rising international terror outfit, according to the author, is the Lashkar-e-Taiba that perpetrated the Mumbai attack. According to the author, this group is emerging as an international threat far more dangerous then al Quada. They add that the leadership of this group and the followers live and thrive openly right under the very noses of the state and Federal Governments in the Punjab. So we have a dangerous situation that people in power are bent an encouraging in the belief that such groups are part of their strategic assets in their hostility towards India, home to more Muslims than the entire population of Pakistan. As far as India is concerned, set on course of economic development and experiencing currently a growth of phenomenal and unprecedented level, the last thing she wants is a confrontation with Pakistan that could only hurt such growth, one that is so badly needed by its starving millions. The Indians are also not so foolish as to think that they can conquer Pakistan. So let us all work for the poor on both sides of the divide. Let us get rid of hate and hate mongers and extremists. This realization is what is needed as a first step if we are to cure our ills. Incidentally, the current leadership in the Punjab, let us not forget, was planning on making Nawaz Sharif the Amir through a constitutional amendment before he was thrown out by the last dictator. Now that Sharif and his group are back in power, in Punjab is It is any surprise that all these religious extremists find a friendly soil in that state? Will the people of Punjab ever wake up?
I am sorry to say this but Pakistan was created on the basis of religion. Bad idea to begin with. Pakistan elite mixed religion with the business of state in its constitution. Again very bad idea. Pakistan is facing problems with extremism due to this mixing of religion and state. When Pakistani Elite understand this and change its constitution away from religion, Pakistan will become truly free country with chance to be peaceful and prosperous. Until then Pakistan will remain failed state with many problems.
Pakistan was created on the basis of religion but not terrorism. Terrorism appeared on the scene in early 80s. Please do not talk of things that you are not aware of. Visit Pakistan before jumping to the conclusion that Pakistan if a failed state!
Shifting blame is very easy – be it India or Pakistan. Finding solution to the problems may not be that easy. All poor countries of the world have these problems. My parents (who were born in Pakistan and settled in India) always said – British raj was better, there was some discipline and order.
I pray for the lost lives. For no fault of theirs they are gone. I have realized that you can never have a calm ocean. These problems will not completely go away from our countries. Education may be the key to solving these issues as it empowers people to see what is good and bad for them. Politicians are deciding what is good and bad for us and most of the politicians are not that good.
People of Punjab have full right to live happily. Their mothers have a full right to see their children prosperous. Though, the Pak army is fighting the extremist, but I have no clue why the politicians belonging to Punjab are so reluctant to condemn Taliban?
Speaking of ‘democratic’ student organizations that pelted stones at Zaid Hamid’s entourage, is this a democratic way to encounter someone whom you don’t agree with? Anyone can disagree with Zaid Hamid, but he has the right to speak his mind.
Outside Pakistan I am Pakistani, inside Pakistan I am Punjabi, in Punjab I am Lahori, In Lahore I am chaudhary/butt/iraein……..
I wish people could start treating me like a human being.
Peace.
Awesome point..
Here again I am a proud student of Peshawar University and Baluchistan University for keeping people like Zaid Hamid out of the valuable educational places.
We are in a strange situation in Pakistan because we are starting to have an active civil society in the country backed intelligently by the judicial institutions of the land, but strangely the political leadership at the center and in the regions goes on with a total feudal mindset unable or unwilling to see the general interests and needs of the land and the people who suffer the daily misery of hardships and violence amongst and around them.
There are no good or bad terrorists. Let’s bring all of them to justice.
I am originally from Punjab now living and working in UK. I don’t know if we Punjabi’s’ are hardwired in this way – we have a zealous belief in conspiracy theory. Every time something happens it is the outsider. always in denial never self examining.
Nadeem,
I am almost always in agreement with what you write.
I am confused what the author is trying to imply. “Wake up Punjab”– OK how and for what? Sir! what is “State of Denial”? Nothing but a cliche. Who is in state of denial? We have been bleeding and we know that and all we want is the end of it.
Nadeem! Thank you for identifying the true problems of Lahore Punjab. It is sad that most of the time we analyze things based on our affiliations and loyalties to our parties. That is why we divide ourselves into groups of for and against. It is our country. We can solve our problems together. We can only do so by identifying our problems with sincerity, impartiality and open minds. When it comes to why the people from other provinces like Karachi and Peshawar are able to open their minds and say no to the promoters of the hate and religious extremism? because the mother of all problems (religious conservative parties) in those provinces, specially in Sindh have been rooted out by the people and their open minded political parties who transferred the power to real people which is the key of success for a balanced society. I commend MQM for this achievement of empowering the middle class. By the way I am not a member of MQM party. Where as in Punjab the never ending culture of Mian and Mazaaray, the corrupt political lords and their religious masters have manged to maintain their strong footings with the help of looted national wealth and their exclusive media agents (Right Wing Echo Chamber) who are busy misleading, exploiting and steering our masses against moderation and democratization efforts. I strongly believe that PMLN, JI and alike parties do not want the terrorism go away because it helps them hit their political opponents effectively when the religious terrorism and sectarianism market is high. None of these parties have ever condemned the terrorism and suicidal bombing openly and loudly but the promotion of mob politics has been their best political shot in my opinion. This process will continue in my opinion till the Zia era is brought back in power in form of PMLN and then every thing will be calmed down, including the law and order situation in our country, the executive branch will not be forced to mind their existence instead of concentrating on their task for which they are elected.
I believe until and unless the people of Punjab are not able to differentiate, this problem will never go away. Remaining in state of denial and blaming the outsiders is not the solution.
Yes , every time anything happens then its India or Israel . Do you guys think we are fools to send ‘ Made in India ” stamped weapons to Pakistan ? India will no way trade its credibility for attacking civilian targets in Pakistan. Its just that Rehman Malik has no clue on whats happening under his nose . For us he always looked like a very confusing guy who some how wants to fix the blame not the problem. India has no interest in Pakistan. You will not have any Indian arrested anywhere in the world for plotting attack on another country.
Dear Asif, well said….You have clearly stated how we Indians are different from the Pakistanis. I hope the Pakistanis understand this.
Dear Asif and Sunjoy, there are people of Indian origin who have been called for questioning internationally.
Second, Punjab province of Pakistan is not yet as touched by the Taliban as others. Let them solve their problem. We hope they realize there IS ONE and do something for themselves. We are no one to judge them.
I guess they are smarter than us ? No trace, like in 1971, divided the country by training Muktibahini’s traitros?
True!
Thanks.
Asif, most fair minded Pakistanis already know that, but the problem is that these fair minded people happen to be in a great minority in Pakistan.
Its sad to see what is happening in Pakistan.
The death toll is now 14 in the Lahore blast. But the sad part is our Int. Min. Rehman Malik has as usual put the blame on India and Israel, mentioning the Indian spy agency RAW. He said weapons bearing Indian marking were found and he concluded that they may have been smuggled from Afghanistan. Does he think that our literate public are fools? Does he take our intelligence for granted. The Taliban itself has come forward for this blast in revenge for their top leaders who were killed on Monday.
Afghanistan has also blamed LET operating from our land for the killing of 12 Indians in Kabul last week. But Malik has said that Taliban were to blame. Now we are further losing our credibility in the world. No one in their right frame of mind believes our For. Min Qureshi, Rehman Malik and our For. Sec Bashir.
Our govt. should ensure security and stop blaming all disasters on India. It wont be long before someone says our PM Zardari works for INDIA!!
Daily we observe the Americans are putting pressure to do more on the war on terror .YA ALLAH!!
Well said Sadiq. Politicians and mainstream media continue to live in a world of delusions and lies. This is pathetic.
Fully agreed, apart from the wall chalkings in Karachi you mentioned is mainly used to prop up hate against the Pukhtoons living in the city by labeling them as Taliban. I am a student of government engineering university in Punjab. Recently, I discovered a latest issue of magazine called ‘Afghan jihad’ in library which openly praised TTP, gave a record of the number of US soldiers killed in recent months and also came up with ridiculous news items such as ‘Taliban have acquired ability to hack drones’. So what can you expect for our future?. Pakistan studies and Islamiat is compulsory even at this level whose textbooks preach hate particularly against India and are written during Zia era, also suggest that whole concept of democracy is non Islamic. We are living in denial. Once i complete my undergrad i am moving out.
It appears from what you said that you do genuinely care about about pakistan and its problems (like rest of us) but you just don’t know it yet. I am equally frustrated as you are but that doesnt mean one should leave their homeland, their beloved country on basis of these temporary problems. Identifying problems and finding solutions is good but finding a way out never helps. And leaving your own home burning? no sensible person does that. Take it from me, I am living in US but there isnt a single moment i dont miss lahore, pakistan and my people. Its not just me … atleast all south asian (indain, pakistanis etc) share very strong feelings towards their homeland. Leave your country if you have to but with right motivations (educations, experience etc) because even when you are thousands of miles away, you leave a part of your soul behind and that connection..that feeling is always there..
Life has taught me one lesson and Its true for current situation in pakistan as well. When you see no hope and no light at the end of the tunnel, close your eyes take a deep breath and know this shall pass too. We have so many problems in pakistan but there are more good things happening than bad ones. Stay focused on good stuff and calmly try to find solution for bad ones. Take one thing at a time and I am sure we’ll eventually get out of this mess.
I disagree with you that all south asians have similar feelings as you about their ancestral land, wherby they miss it all the time. I don’t think that is the right attitude and I for one certainly don’t feel that way even though I spent most of my childhood in Pakistan. I am very lucky to live in the States as well and I certainly wish well for Pakistan but my “homeland” is my country, not Pakistan. I am American first and foremost and I owe all my educational and economic success to America. I am saying this because those of us in the diaspora should count our blessings instead of feeling nostalgic all the time about some other country.
I live in San Francisco and know a lot of Pakistani Americans out here who either spent few years or have parents from Pakistan – and everybody feel an emotional attachment to her – albeit in varying degrees. It’s a bit odd that you don’t but hey it’s your life. Just to be clear I have the highest esteem for American society, their work ethics and their attitude towards life. I love my life here and thankful for all the opportunities I got but part of my identity is Pakistani and I have nothing but great memories of her. So if you think that feeling concerned on what’s happening there translates into feeling nostalgic all the time about some other country – I would disagree too.
But to be fair my earlier comment was bit poignant in tone, so It might have given you a wrong impression. I was only commenting on the morality of his reason to leave the country. And that even holds true in American society. Ask any sensible American (born and bred in US) about how he/she feels about leaving her if things start to go haywire and you at least wont get a similar response or something along the lines: let’s get the hell out of here since we are done getting our piece of the pie. And just to give you an example, a large majority of negative comments from Indians (some of them rightful) on Pakistan comes from Indian Americans.. so based on your theory, how come they don’t forget about India?
Dear Yasir,
I left Pakistan for similar reasons as you four years ago. I am finishing my undergrad in the US this year. Living in such a wonderful society makes me feel sorry for Pakistanis. I have decided to move back and serve my country, try to make a difference to the lives of its people. I didn’t use to give a damn. I think America did this to me.
There are very few of us who understand what requires to be fixed in Pakistan. You clearly are one of them. Therefore you are direly needed. If we all pack up and leave, what will become of the country? We will be directly responsible for leaving the ship to sink.
You can leave, that’s fine. I understand because I did. But I hope you realize someday that it feels better to feed others than to be fed yourself. Besides, trust me, it feels better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in the big pond. In Pakistan people like you are a rarity. Therefore it is easier to make a difference and be noticed.
Best wishes.
Do move out Pakistan does not need people like you. We hate Taliban but that does not mean we should hate Pakistan.
“Once I complete my undergrad I am moving out.”
That is strong, unfortunate statement. But, I don’t blame you.
I can understand and support your feelings.