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Israeli citizens were among the victims of the ruthless butchery of the Mumbai attacks. Israel could have very conveniently succumbed to the Indian warmongering against Pakistan. Yet it did not. The Israeli government was really cautious and restrained in blaming any country for this open genocide. A few days after the attacks the Israeli Ambassador to New Delhi Mark Sofar made some very keen observations.

Urging India to employ only pacifist means vis-a-vis, he maintained that there was no comparison between Israel’s action against Hezbollah hideouts and Indian desire to carry out surgical strikes on Pakistani soil. “It will be wrong to take a response of one part of the world to extrapolate immediately to somewhere else,” he said. Such sane talk is need of the hour for hawks on both sides of the border are egging their governments on, to wage full blown war. This indeed is not the voice of a foe. It has never occurred to any of our anti-Semitic firebrands that Israel and Pakistan have much in common. Need more proof?

Consider this quote from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh bible, We, or, Our Nationhood Defined by M. S. Golwalkar: “To keep up the purity of its race and culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of the Semitic races — the Jews. Race pride at its highest has been manifested here… a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by.” In other words India is being advised to take a leaf out of Hitler’s anti-Semitism. Both Israel and Pakistanhave faced huge challenges since their very birth and both want acceptance of their right to exist in hostile regions.

Pakistan Israel relations have never been exemplary. Both countries have tried to keep their interactions hidden from the wider audience. However, Sofar has summed up this relationship in a nutshell: “We have had from time-to-time contacts, here and there with Musharraf, who met, and the previous Pakistani foreign minister who met the previous Israeli foreign minister, but to talk of any meaningful relationship between Israel and Pakistan is really way off the ball and nowhere near where we are… Israel had a lot to offer to Pakistan … the decision is in its court and it clearly has decided to go elsewhere.”

It is astonishing that while Pakistan does not officially recognize the state ofIsrael, the passports of the Pakistani citizens single it out as the only prohibited place and hence recognizing it by default. Again it is beyond my comprehension why at time when Muslim countries like Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar have relations with Israel and even Saudi Arabia is mulling over possibilities of establishing contacts, in Pakistan we have done nothing to build a relationship.

Apparently this boycott of reason stems from the desire to see the resolution of the Palestinian issue. Yet it has quite correctly been pointed out by Israeli leaders that in the absence of bilateral relations between the two statesPakistan has no locus standus on the matter. If Pakistanis want to play a more constructive and proactive role in the matter it logically follows that we do what is due. If recognizing Israel is the logical step to take it is reasonable to ask ourselves what are we bound to lose in case we go ahead and establish formal relationship.
Rationally speaking we hardly have anything to lose. Granted that there can be a backlash from the rightwing elements in the country but that already exists as a permanent feature in this country. It is true that some among the Arab citizens may not consider it too much friendly a gesture but I am sure the Arab states will understand the compulsions.

With our Arab brothers this understanding is mutual. For instance you’ll remember that when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was the crown princePakistan used to be most hospitable and respectful host. But many in Pakistan were highly disconcerted when despite full understanding of the Indo-Pak tensions after assuming the throne the first thing the Saudi King did was to accept the Indian invitation to be the guest of honour at its national day parade even before visiting our country. But the attitude of Pakistani government was realistic and tolerant.
On the other hand Pakistan is bound to gain a lot from this quite reasonable choice. During the current Indo-Pak standoff we have not heard even a word of reason from any Muslim country. No Muslim country has advised Indiapublicly to show restraint. Pakistan stands today highly isolated on the world stage. One by one we are losing all diplomatic levers and even old friends likeChina find it difficult to come to our rescue. It is time to give up the ridiculously contradictory policy and embrace true diplomacy. In fact when Pakistandecided to a part of the war on terror and inadvertently brought the war to its own soil, any justification or defense for this contradictory mentality were lost.

Pakistan had consciously chosen to be a modern state rather than opting to transform into a medieval polity. While some of the methods of the past government might be wrong this choice was indeed correct.

Pakistan stands today on the same forked path where it stood at its very inception. For sixty three years Pakistan has allowed ideational contradictions and total denial of realities to cloud its judgement. If the correct decision is delayed any further our strained polity may not be able to sustain the weight of denial any further. We need strong modern allies whose relationship can actually benefit us rather than pulling us down the retrogressive path.

And let us see it this way. There is nothing wrong in our collective desire to see the Palestinian issue resolved. However our current state of suspended animation has hardly ever helped the cause of our Palestinian friends. IfPakistan has formal relations with Israel, it can play a more proactive role in the resolution of the Palestinian issue and the protection of the Al Aqsa Mosque. While our recognition of Israel would not mean total adherence to its stand on the Palestinian issue, we need to admit that Israel being a democracy is open to the positive influences of moderation. When we have nothing to lose, what qualms do we have in exploring what Mr Sofar promises when he says, “Israel had a lot to offer to Pakistan“?

Let me register my bias at the very outset. I do not like Mr Ahmadinejad. Why would that be? Because I believe that his comic strip approach to diplomacy has ruined all the good work done by Mr Khatemi and really damaged the international standing of his great nation. Iran is one of the foremost cradles of civilization and yet his denial of the recorded historic events the holocaust make undermine the historic contribution to the Iranian contribution to the Islamic culture and the world at large. Dragging the faith and his nation into useless, and at times damaging, point scoring debates has never done any good to anyone. So that’s that. But after having elaborated my personal predilections I want to add that my following criticism of the regime in Tehran has hardly anything to do with it. If anything I regard Mr Ahmadinejad a symptom not a cause of the ongoing crisis in his country.
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I just received this email from a friend and am putting it on my site. I’ll be obliged if any of my readers can help this child find her family.
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HEART-BREAKING: An 18-month-old girl, who does not even know her name, was found abandoned in Madinah.

JEDDAH: The family of an 18-month-old girl of Indian or Pakistani origin who was found at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah three months ago is being searched for.
Security officers at the mosque found the girl and later handed her to the Children’s Hospital in Madinah to provide her with necessary medical care.
“Her condition is now excellent and she is now with the family of Abdul Aziz Al-Johani in Madinah,” an Al-Johani family member told Arab News yesterday. When the child was found, she was wearing red pants and a light green T-shirt with “Sweet House” written on it in English.
The child’s parents or relatives may contact Abdul Aziz Al-Johani on 05050009906.

With Best Regards,
Eng Syed Mujahed Mohiuddin,
Holy Makkah,
saudi Arabia.

O My Lord, O My Creator,

Last year in the same month I wrote and posted a similar letter to you. Yes it was called Thodi si to lift kara day!!! You very kindly gave me more breathing space. So my state is this: An agnostic like me is left more confused. On one side I have new opportunities on the other my home, my only home Pakistan still struggles under humunguous burden of troubles. No matter whatever I do the situation does not seem changing. It is true that Pakistan has won the T20 cup, something that seemed impossible and brought with it soaring national spirit. But that’s that. Our every day problems are graver than just that. Is there any silver bullet to end them all? Likewise can we dream of a country where tolerance and pluralism with healthy competition are order of the day? On one side my personal improvement has forced me to think that you exist and you listen to us mortals. Yet the amount of pain and suffering I witness around me makes me stubborn and in desperation I want to deny your existence and severe all ties with those who take your name. Why, after all, the blood we see everywhere is being spilled in your name. Can you please not help us mortals in stopping all of this rubbish and by doing so reinforce our faith in you?
I have some more bones to pick too. Now I am a TV talkshow host for a growing news channel. But somehow I feel totally helpless in doing anything substantial for the people. How can I when I am embroiled in personal matters and when even I a trained analyst fail to make sense of the going ons in my dear country? Not quite. And there certainly is something in your decisions about fulfilling desires without delivering their substance. For instance you will remember the days when during the lawyers’ movement the Chief Justice was not being restored, Geo Network  for which I was then working was shutdown. We fought for the restoration of both. We also wanted democracy to triumph and the dictator to go. And then please remember the day when we were praying that Obama may win. Today the Chief Justice has been restored to his seat but justice for all still seems elusive. Geo is free and yes I am not with it. In the 2008 national election the democratic forces triumphed and the dictator is gone, yet since you took Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto away from us, the democrats sound more like dictators. Obama has won but even though there have been a lot of pledges things in my part of the world are not changing as quickly as they should have. This creeping sense of impotence, when you know you have some means though not all, of bringing about the change and then owing to the treachery of the circumstances you cannot do anything, is killing me and I am once again losing my marbles.
I simply don’t know why things get saturated whenever you take a new step. This misfortune is that the idols that I have worshipped now expect nothing but an absolute sycophant. You know well that I cannot be one. Consequently every direction I take, my goal post boils down to a burning sea of mirages. Is there no direction left or am I destined to keep running in circles? Am I to be punished for competence, not incompetence, forever? Here is the deal. You have bestowed upon me the gift of barking, give me teeth now and I will bite only those who befoul your name. Give me hands of glory and they will be used only to fight injustice and help the victims. Thori si lift aur kara day. 

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(Pitafi.com has proudly initiated its new segment the Guest Blog. Here is a contribution by Mr Rashed Rahman, former editor the Post and Senior Editor, the National. If you want to be part of the project you can contribute or comment at guest@pitafi.com)

The military offensive in Swat Valley and surrounding districts of Malakand Division has more or less completed its initial phase. This may be a good moment therefore to assess the operation so far.

There is little doubt that there was a fundamental shift in the attitude of the army before such an unprecedented military offensive could be launched against the Taliban whom the military until recently was fond of referring to as its ‘strategic assets’. What led to this ‘change of heart’?

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(Pitafi.com now proudly presents its new segment the Guest Blog. We are starting up with Dr Mubashir Hasan’s valued contributions. If you want to be part of the project you can contribute or comment at guest@pitafi.com)

The year was 1942. World War II had been raging for 3 years.  To prepare defences against a possible German advance into India through Iran, the British Indian government was frantically constructing roads and airfields and was recruiting engineers in large numbers.  I had appeared in final engineering examination and the family was keenly discussing the options for my career.  The stern voice of my uncle settled the question.  “We are against war.  We have lived in this town for six hundred years and no member of our family has ever served in the military or police or a government department dealing with the control or taxation on alcohol or narcotics”, he thundered.  To this day I cannot understand how in our town comprising educated petty land owners, professionals, writers and poets, of which our family was a part, came to adopt this particular stance against war.

Lying 55 miles north of the Indian capital, Delhi, Panipat had acquired fame in history as a battle field.  It was an ancient town dating back to several thousand years.  To the east of the town flowed the river Jamuna flanked by thick forests.  To the west were extensive marshes.  In between there was a dirt road, a highway of immense strategic importance.  It was the shortest, direct route to the capital of India.  Scores of conquerors had taken this route since time immemorial.  Until British hegemony was established in 1820, battles, big and small, frequently raged in and around Panipat — almost four for every century.  Those of 1526, 1556 and 1761 proved fateful for the history of India.

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Every day we see some new concern in the western media, our media or some apex western meeting. Yesterday Richard Holbrooke’s congressional hearing was quite pithy in this context. One comment from BBC’s anchor is still frozen in my memory, that some people argue that instead of AfPak policy it should be called the PakAf policy. In my humble view the nomenclature doesn’t matter. What matters is how you approach the heart of the problem.  And that is what I am going to discuss here just now.
Somehow a fear in the western media seems to have been blown beyond proportions: that of nuclear proliferation. I say blown beyond proportions because even though the fear is very much there it obscures and often overshadows the far bigger fears. At the top of these fears is that of Pakistan’s total meltdown and the army’s transformation into a rogue force.
Now why would I say such a thing? Consider this: The terrorists who participated in the September 11 assaults were not equipped with anything beyond box cutters or similar stuff. No nukes no other lethal weapons but a fanatical obsession with crrying out their plans coupled with the skills of combat and flying the planes. Granted that the nuclear arsenal can fall in the hands of the terrorists but remember that the nukes have neither volition nor legs of their own. They cannot walk over to the rogue side. And for such an eventuality it must be submitted here that the Pakistani nukes are well safeguarded with Permissive Action Links and all other procedures. That implies that unless there is capitulation on the part of the army the nukes will be rendered useless for the terrorists. As for the fissile material well can we deny that such possibilities exist in all parts of the world, for instance in the former USSR states or even in India where some of it went missing not in too distant a past.  The issue then is of the army guarding the strategic weapons. We know that the Pakistan Army is a highly disciplined force and that in the current circumstances its presence ensures that the few warheads we have will not fall in the rogue hands.
The eventuality of Pakistan’s meltdown however is too serious to ignore. What happens if the central authority ceases to exist and there is no mechanism to pay the five hundred thousand strong army salaries. Thanks to Musharraf’s nine years of blind rule the army and the other forces (including the Air Force and the Navy) are already highly demoralized.   Tell me what will happen if the central authority melts down and the terrorists and the insurgents try to induct them into their ranks. The only source of living known to most of the soldiers is fighting and combat. Will such a large number of trained soldiers not be a threat to global peace then? If you are thinking that the country will melt down and the broken pieces will be absorbed conveniently into the neighbors then you are really mistaken. Degerneracy hardly ever gives way to constructive peace.
After having registered this point let me now discuss the matter of the Taliban support within the army. Please mark my words that if you think that there is no sympathy for the Taliban within our military ranks then you are living with delusions nothing else. But there is an absolutely understandable explanation for that. This support and the role of our army in nurturing the Taliban since the movement’s very inception stems from the innate insecurity of our state. Like it or not from the day one Pakistan has lived in the perpetual environment of insecurity born out of the Indian state’s lack of readiness to recognize it as a viable reality. After having fought wars with India the intelligence tsars here came up with the deluded idea of strategic depth. The depth of our country is very shallow. Even the recent Indian army doctrines have projected plans or scenarios where an Indian assaults through stealth cuts the country into two. That is why it was always argued that a virtual depth should be attained through a favorable government in Kabul. Of late this argument has been used by the fundos like Lt Gen (r) Hamid Gul in support of the Taliban. No wonder then that as long as the insecurity is there such argument will exist. Now before I move a bit forward I ask you to choose between two scenarios. A progressive Pakistan with a secular ethos no matter even with the nukes or a decaying Pakistan with loose nukes, rampant fanaticism and at top of everything a loose armed forces? I am sure you will choose the former not the latter. What is to be done then?
The right answer to this very difficult equation is quite simple. Taliban are a creation of Pakistan. It is the very army then which should root the menace out. No you didn’t get the point. I don’t mean within the Pakistani boundaries alone. The only strategy that can work is to give the Pakistan army a role in Afghanistan too. Since the Taliban are creation of our army, our soldiers know their mentality too, especially of the Afghan Taliban. So the best way is to employ the same army on both sides of the border to squeeze the Taliban – Al Qaeda nexus. Now this idea seems a non starter. There of course are snags. First, why would the Pakistan Army want to take part there? Second, if it does it lacks the capacity to fight an insurgency. Third, India and other regional players will have objections to the idea for India has its interests in the country.  Let me begin with the last. India’s interest in Afghanistan arise from its ambitions not any insecurities for India is not directly contiguous to Afghanistan. If Pakistan transforms into a secular democracy and stamps out support for extremism it can indeed prove to be an excellent ally of New Delhi. Now why would the Pakistan want such a role in Afghanistan and what good will it do? The presence of the Pakistani soldiers in Afghan perhaps under the ISAF banner will ensure that there is no crossfire across  the Pak Afghan border ensuring that the Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan. This will also dry up oxygen for the likes of Hamid Gul in army for the insecurity constant on our Western borders will be nullified and the Pak Army will not need to resort to exporting its proxies to Afghanistan got the sake of its stability. While in Afghanistan the army will be able to help train the Afghan army in conventional warfare and develop a working relationship even empathy. You know that the Pakistan Afghanistan border has already been nullified. The term AfPak was not invented by yours truly. However it  offers countless opportunities for peace. For instance a commonwealth between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is not dominated by either Islamabad or Kabul. Make no mistakes there are no bigger stakes in Afghanistan  than of Pakistan, and there are no bigger stakes in Pakistan than that of Afghanistan. Time has come to benefit from the strengths of the two nations rather than keep sufferring from their weaknesses. Pakistan thus far has weakened the Afghan nation building process, it can play greater role in its reconstruction.
Now the last but the most important bit. If somehow Afghan and Pakistan armies can be brought under one banner they can very effectually be trained in counter insurgency. The US and the West now need to end their own insecurities and help undo the wrongs they themselves have committed.
(Concluded but might be updated again so keep visiting)

Pakistan today is passing through a brutal phase. Those who believe in peace are advocating for war, those who prized themselves on being the bond of the federation are in a state of suspended animation giving the federation full time to melt down. There is no question that democracy is the best system possible and it is the only long term solution we have. But what do you do when the clear and present danger threatens to destroy you in short term. Will it not imply that in order to save the country for democracy there has to be a short term deviation? This is the argument always presented to derail democracy in the country and impose martial laws. And yet there can be no two views that the state of federation cries for some relief.
It breaks my heart to witness the damage the politicians have done to themselves.  It was not long ago that we all were united against Pervez Musharraf’s emergency and the specter of talbanization. The Charter of Democracy was being considered Pakistan’s Magna Carta. Then politicians somehow started embracing Musharraf’s tragic legacy and now we witness an absolute absence of governance. The federal government headed by the presidency, and not by the premier house, unfortunately has allowed, just like Musharraf, a coterie of sycophants to isolate it from the general masses. Punjab government has its adrenaline rush but little direction. The biggest disappoint however turned out to be the Awami National Party. Its government has been backing the shoddy deal with the terrorists and thugs in Swat.  I am working on a set of proposals regarding the Taliban problem that it will be posted here one of these days but right now I want to discuss the state of affairs and what political dispensation I foresee in the near future.
I know our president is off to Washington to meet Obama. Yet the environment created by the statements of coming from Washington has started changing everything. These things were visible even before the statements. For instance when the concessions to terrorists in Swat was giving us all headaches, it was Pakistan Army which started operation in Mingora region in a desperate attempt to contain the onslaught of the Taliban. The federal and the provincial governments failed to seize the initiative. Those of us who understand the seriousness of the Taliban threat cannot find fault with the Army’s initiative.  The political parties instead must be blamed for not taking a lead in these matters. In fact it seems they all are worried only of their immediate constituencies. Here too People’s Party is losing much for it has become only too unreachable for its basic constituency. Consider this: I voted for the Prime Minister during the elections, and this site was the first and perhaps the only one to endorse Asif Ali Zardari as the president. However even this scribe is now getting worried about the state of affairs in this country.
What is the most likely shape of things to come? It is clear that the Pakistan Army does not want to stage another coup. It has thus far not been able to break free from Musharraf’s controversial legacy. Hence no chance of a full blown coup. The likely outcome could either be fresh elections or then much-discussed Bangladesh model. Fresh elections in the  current scenario seem a bit far fetched. Fresh elections will lead to only fresh instability. Add to it the fact that Nawaz Sharif too has not been able to come up a coherent counter terror policy. The most likely option is of a national government of technocrats. In the likely scenario the federal government, under international and local pressue, will itself call the quits and owing to the multi dimensional crises the country is facing an interim government will be installed for approximately two years with the support of the Supreme Court and indirect help of the PML-N.  This government will dedicate itself to put an end to all these crises. Who will head such a government? Either a veteran politician with an extraordinary knack of administation or then a new face. Of course not Musharraf for the army and its supporters abroad will not want the new set up to be tarnished by Musharraf’s reputation. On the contrary, in order to prove its distance from the new government, the army may allow Musharraf to be dragged in the court and formally prosecuted. Whether the NRO will be subjected to a judicial review or not depends on how the PPP leadership carries itself in the next few days.
Is there any prevention or preemption possible for the political class right now? Of course there is. If the PPP leaders want the current dispensation to continue they will have to be more accessible and prove themselves capable of proactive governance. Likewise the ANP will need to distance itself from the Swat deal, PML-N need to draft its counter-terrorism policy and MQM and other regional parties to show more restraint. These things seem almost impossible but are indeed doable. If not done immediately I do not see the current set up continuing beyond a fortnight or at best three weeks. Meanwhile please keep revisiting the site to read my proposals on ending the Taliban challenge.

For weeks now I have tried to keep silent for I felt that the political class and its military and foreign handlers would finally show some sense. But no sir. Common sense is the only form of intelligence totally extinct in the land of the pure. I say it despite the fact that within an year of our new democratic experience the country was again brought to a virtual martial. I cannot thank the three sides, the government, its challenger in the PML-N and the Army, more to have pulled back in time in order to prevent an absolute crash. I also laud the unprecendented role played by our army chief to save democracy, when in the past our army chiefs have always used such volatile political conditions to advance personal agendas. But that is besides the point sirs. Had common sense prevailed such day of political confrontation would have never come to pass.

I have had interactions with both President Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif since then. Neither of these interactions were exclusive even though the halls of Raiwind and the Presidency both have pledged to arrange exclusive meets, but in both interactions thus far I was part of a small select group. I kept studying the reasons of the inane actions that brought us to the political precipice and could only end up blaming only the sycophants and the bureaucrats. Yes we are talking of tiny men and women with huge egos whose self respect fails when it comes to polishing the boots of their leaders.
Yet, after having opposed the very idea of the long march, I had to travel it also to cover it. And I’ll not pretend that I did not worry of the human and political cost of something as unpredictable as a bomb blast in such a huge gathering. Was it not irresponsible of our leaders to let people risk their lives for something that has thus far failed to bring about any substantial change. Hollow and half baked promises cannot provide you with bread, butter, shelter or even dignity. And during this period of silence I had to endure some personal traumas which educated me that in this great land of ours there is no dignity for a common man. Rather when the integrity and cool of a person considered a bit more influential than a pedestrian is not safe, how can be sure of the poor of the country. I have said it in the past and will say it in the future. Our system hones criminals. Nothing else.
If the PPP and the PML-N leaders were bent on making prats of themselves one would have hoped better attitude from other more seasoned parties. But no sir. A video of a girl being lashed originated from Swat one of these days but guess what our friends from Awami National Party and their government in the NWFP, instead of conducting serious investigation of the incident have thus far tried to cast aspersions on the veracity of the footage and the intentions of the TV channels who kept playing it for considerable time. The conservative intellectuals have not helped either. A senior TV anchor and journalist of the same clique recently told me that the footage was a conspiracy against the COUNTRY’S NUCLEAR ASSETS!!! I know two plus two is invariably always four but how does this twisted perversion of maths adds up really beats me.
But excuse me sirs. Do we really need proofs to qualify how cruel the Taliban is? I think not. I do not want my daughters to grow in a society where being a girl or a woman is crime in itself. All I can do is pledge t0 fight such negative forces even if it results in the demise of yours truly. And before that time comes I must submit that I am truly disappointed in the politicians and the ruling elite and since I am not any disillusioned supporter of Musharraf but a believer in the current system since ages, it is saying something.

While I apologize profoundly for my momentary absence from the blogosphere, I must point out that all this time I have been present on the tube. All my readers had to do was to switch on television and watch my views on News1 TV. I am saying this because that which I had feared has finally happened and there are more fears that can come true within no time.  In this space and others I have repeatedly warned you of such a possibility yet our leaders who very kindly inform me that they read this site have not even realized what they are doing. How sad!
Let me begin from the unfortunate disqualification of the Sharif brothers for which they alone are to be blamed. Why do I say that? I say it because the brothers whose political career started with thanks to a martial law and who have always played a Tom and Jerry show with the country’s judiciary and democracy are now trying to portray themselves as the martyrs of the cause of the judicial independence. You might have forgotten but I have not the way former president and justice Rafiq Tarrar used to carry a bag full of money and illicit promises to buy judges over to Nawaz Sharif’s side against the then chief justice of Pakistan. You might have forgotten good ol’ Saifur Rehman the draconian head of the accountability bureau and his victimization of all dissent but I have not. Now from such leaders one should have expected a bit of flexibility but there was none to be found. And I am not talking of any flexibility that didn’t them. I am talking of just a bit that would have ensured their stay in power and made life easier for the Pakistanis.
Do you know why they were disqualified? Not because the president wanted them to be disqualified. No matter how much you believe in conspiracy theories that is not how things worked here. They were disqualified only because of a mere technicality. The verdict featuring their disqualification is not new. It happened when Musharraf was in power. The issue was of an appeal against it. While the two brothers could have appealed in the courts and would have very conveniently been exonerated they refused to appeal against the verdict on the grounds that they do not accept the sitting courts as legitimate. Tell me if you were handed out a death penalty and you wanted to save yourself would you not appeal against the verdict not matter how doubtful the court was? You most certainly would. Refusal to accept the legitimacy of a court does not meant that it will seize to exist. However in order to capitalize on the moment’s sentiments the brothers did not appeal and instead allowed themselves to appear likely victims. Had they not believed in the very courts I would have understood it but opportunism was not lost even here. A hitherto unknown group  calling itself Ahlian-e-Lahore (the citizens of Lahore) appealed in against the verdict in their stead. The group essentially was supported and sponsored by the brothers. Why go to this extent if you don’t believe in the court. The appeal however was dismissed on the grounds that the group had no locus standi in this matter. Is it rocket science that we cannot understand that in the entire world all courts have decided in a similar fashion?
The brothers could have swallowed their hubris and decided to appeal directly without any proxy but they did not. Instead they brought this matter on the street regardless of the danger it posses to democracy and the country. The arsen that ensued in Lahore ensured the imposition of governor rule. I don’t understand why this is being portayed as a conspiracy. Constitution of the country has to ensure that no power vacuum emerges. Perhaps because the media that was so badly victimized by Nawaz Sharif’s successive governments still wants to see him in power and hence is bent on projecting him as a victim. Just in case our media peers have forgotten let me remind some of them how things were in late 1990s. Nawaz Sharif’s government was stifling the Jang group, the owner of my previous employer, to a slow death. How on earth can we forget that? PPP has never done that to the media in my memory.
I am worried folks because I realize that the Taliban is sitting in Swat which is a hundred mile from Islamabad. I am worried because a deal was cut with the Taliban which allows it a safe haven. Meanwhile the tribalization of Southern Punjab, Balochistan and rural Sindh continues. If this sad trend continues our nationhood may come under further duress.
The trouble is that the form of dictatorship that the Taliban engenders makes even military dictators like Zia look tame. I have two daughters now and in no way can I allow them to live in a culture which behaves as if being a girl is a crime. The trouble is that even if the long march and the sit in succeeds it will create a power vacuum that cannot even be filled by a military intervention for Musharraf’s stay in power has weakened the army and in case of another military coup the country most definitely will implode. The only option then is to bring both sides back on negotiating table and force them to save democracy that we have struggled to bring to the country for last nine years. If Messrs Sharif do not understand the grim situation the country is passing through they will be the first ones to regret their decisions when the consequence play out.