DIFFERENT DRIVES-III
By: Gowhar Geelani
For many a decades, distinguished genius on the cricketing field would bring laurels to Pakistan, but of late the match fixing and spot fixing scandals have only brought shame and embarrasment to this nation; which is unfortunately also notorious for being run by the Army and its not so famous intelligence wing. A country which was once known for Wasim's sensational swing, Waqar's toe-crushing yorkers, Imran's exemplary leadership skills and Saqlain's scintillating guile has now earned notoreity, thanks to the likes of Asif's, Amir's and Butt's. This is the painful story on the field.
Off the field, the picture is even more grim. The country is run by the nodding goats and stooges of Uncle Sam. Mr. Asif Zardari is known less as the country's president and more as 'Mr. 10 %' for his skills as a broker! Apologies for being so plain and forthright. Worse, the premier Mr. Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani always seems struggling for words. Words often fail him, and why not? He perhaps forgets the crammed lessons, and therefore, finds himself struggling in deciding what to say and what to hide!
'PAIN TO BE A PAKISTANI':
Whatever little pride [if at all any] had been left there now has been blown into pieces because of the operation kill Osama [Op' Geronima EKIA]. Al-Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden, was 'killed' in a covert US operation, which was carried out by the US Navy Seals in Pakistan's Abbotabad town. For an ordinary citizen of Pakistan swallowing this bitter pill seems a painful transition from 'proud to be a Pakistani' to 'pain to be a Pakistani'.
Pakistani leadership [if one could describe it as such by any standards] finds itself in a tight spot. The country is facing very tough, uncomfortable and difficult questions. Some questions at the domestic front while many others at the international level.
'IMPOTENT ALLY':
On one hand the United States keeps pampering Pakistan by claiming that it is an important [read impotent] ally in the war on terror [read war of terror], but on the other hand this partner is not trustworthy and reliable enough to be informed about the kill Osama operation. Tone from the US authorities, by any means, is not encouraging for Pakistan. Recall the statement: 'Either Pakistan is involved or incompetent'. Isn't then it apparent that the US administration doesn't trust Pakistan? Isn't the US only involved in romance, subsequent marriage and then the honeymoon for strategic reasons alone, because of its huge military presence in difficult Afghanistan. Why doesn't Pakistan comprehend this 'use and throw' policy of the United States? Perhaps because of the fear of interruptions in the flowing river of US dollars in aid! Through operation shot dead Osama, Pakistan's sovereignty was not only violated but also the values of 'alliance and friendship' disrespected. These are the uncomfortable questions Pakistani government has to answer at the home turf.
'GREEN ARMY IN CATCH 22':
On the international front, Pakistan is also facing very serious and tough questions. How is it possible that Pakistan Army, its spy agency and the administration would have absolutely no information about Osama's comfortable stay in a million dollar mansion, located only few yards away from Pakistan's reputed military academy. After all, what is said about this country of 18 million people doesn't taste better: 'Every country has an Army, but in Pakistan, Army has a country.' Did Pakistan Army know about the most wanted man's luxurious hide-out? Did Green Army overtly or covertly extend any help to Osama bin Laden to make his stay in the country comfortable? These are all serious questions. But no satisfactory answers seem coming.
Today, embattled Pakistan finds itself pulverized from all corners. Even her friends are playing it safe at the moment and sounding extremely cautious.
'INDIA FISHING IN TROUBLED WATERS':
But on the flip side of it, India is trying to behave like a big brother without being one. Indian state doesn't command much respect vis-a-vis its human rights' track record. India is certainly not in a position to preach Pakistan on the question of morality or double- standards. Also, India shouldn't even think about carrying out the US- style operations in Pakistan to hunt down the likes of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Moulana Masood Azhar and Illyas Kashmiri. If the right sense doesn't prevail upon the Indian state and assuming that it might finally decide to go for such misadventure, then one can only hope that India doesn't use the same choppers for carrying out surgical strikes in Pakistan that it uses for carrying its state Chief Ministers in. Everyone knows the end results! [Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are the most recent examples.]
'STOP PREACHING AND INTROSPECT':
India, by any stretch of imagination, doesn't enjoy any kind of moral edge or an advantage over Pakistan. If Pakistan is accused of harboring dangerous men - widely believed to be responsible for the deadly attacks of 9/11 and 26/11; India also has a tainted person like Mr. Narendra Modi as the proud Chief Minister of Gujarat. Modi is the man largely believed to have orchestrated the Gujarat pogrom, which resulted in the massacre of more than 2,000 Muslims in 2002. A country, which carries the burden of the operation Blue Star and its aftermath that resulted in the mass murder of Sikhs; demolition of Babri Mosque and the massacre that followed; mayhem in Gujarat; and the fake encounters, third degree tortures and large scale extortion at the hands of Police in Kashmir, Gujarat and many north-eastern states, has absolutely no right to preach Pakistan. It has no right to lecture others on the questions of morality and civilized behavior.
'INDIAN MEDIA'S JIHAD':
It is high time that the Indian media also, especially the television news channels, openly declare that they're the mouth pieces of the Indian Army and the government. Before passionately preparing themselves for the 'jihad' against Pakistan in comfortable television studios, Indian newsmen and anchors should introspect and try recalling the very fundamental lessons of objectivity and impartiality they might have learned in their journalism classrooms.
'DOUBLE GAME IS DEADLY':
Pakistan, on its part, should also realize that the double game the country is involved neck deep in, is only going to break it into pieces. Instead of working for the US and expecting billions of dollars in aid or launching itself into diatribe against India, it is time to think about changing the lives of poor people of Pakistan. And India, on its part, should learn showing some degree of magnanimity by not drawing sadistic pleasure from the plight of Pakistan. Aren't poor farmers, thousands of them, committing suicides in many Indian states. Isn't it then time to reflect upon harsh realities in both countries than surviving on hate mongering, rhetoric and jingoism!
Right now it seems to be an unfortunate story of 'pain to be a Pakistani' and 'shame to be an Indian'.
About the author: Gowhar Geelani is a Kashmiri journalist with more than 10 years of professional experience, both at the national and international level.
