By Sikander Hayat
Every day, I read stories about "Dangerous Pakistan" but then people say something which forces you to think if journalism is just about lying and propaganda or there is some other purpose to the exercise as well. What caught my eye was an opinion piece saying that Iraq is safer than Pakistan and I must ask this question, how? Is it because people in Pakistan lawyers are protesting
on the streets? Is it because there are no green zones in Pakistan? Is it because there is no active Shia Sunni Conflict going on in Pakistan? Is it because of above 7% GDP growth rate sustained over last eight years? May be it is because Pakistan is not divided into Kurdish, Shia and Sunni regions which are mutually hostile.
We must think before writing, before going on this path of gutter journalism, writing about a place where we have never been. I have seen plenty
of states declared "failed" when hostile to America and "booming" when friends with America and the West.
What can cost USA and the West and I sincerely believe should not is the tendency to micromanage other countries affairs. Who should rule, who should be in opposition. Back Musharaf, or wait, no back Benazir now. America is not a friend but a bully because friends do not meddle. This is not the first time that Pakistan is being treated by America in this way.
Pakistan has suffered a great deal with its association with USA in one way or another. Used during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and left to pick up the pieces afterwards. I believe that the same thing is happening again. Then there is another aspect of the story as well and this is about what Pakistanis themselves do to there country. America as a nation will always look to defend its own interests and can’t be blamed for that but micromanaging the situation in Pakistan has
created a lot of abhorrence among Pakistanis.
Democracy is nothing but a fancy word in the region where Pakistan is located. World’s biggest powers like Russia and China and regional players like Iran plus all the Stans of Central Asia are non democratic. In a region where nearly three fifth of the humanity lives, apart from India there is no democratic country. Is there a reason for that, I believe there is and that is the collective perceived/actual paranoia towards the West. There is a need for this to be countered somehow but constant meddling, giving deadlines; dictation to sovereign countries does not help the cause. Pakistan has lost largest number of lives among all the coalition countries fighting against terrorism and if there is still doubt on its real intentions then watch out.
If Pakistan decides to oppose this war than there is no way in the world that West can win in Afghanistan or broader war on terror
Pakistan is not Burma or Iraq, if anything it is like Turkey where Army has a defined role in the Public life, which is not to let religion permeate too much into Pakistani society and houses of Power. It is true that Islam has been used by General Zia's presidency but apart from that army has always been secular and maintained good relations with Western countries. But you need two hands to clap and Pakistan is waiting for the other hand.
Related Posts:
1. Why British Tabloid (Gutter Press) Spreads Hate Against Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Team & Muslims In General
2. PAKISTAN - Is Media Overreaching Itself?
3.A List Of Indian Media Lies - Dishonesty of Indian Media
4.Failed Media and Fake Democrats in Pakistan
Every day, I read stories about "Dangerous Pakistan" but then people say something which forces you to think if journalism is just about lying and propaganda or there is some other purpose to the exercise as well. What caught my eye was an opinion piece saying that Iraq is safer than Pakistan and I must ask this question, how? Is it because people in Pakistan lawyers are protesting
on the streets? Is it because there are no green zones in Pakistan? Is it because there is no active Shia Sunni Conflict going on in Pakistan? Is it because of above 7% GDP growth rate sustained over last eight years? May be it is because Pakistan is not divided into Kurdish, Shia and Sunni regions which are mutually hostile.We must think before writing, before going on this path of gutter journalism, writing about a place where we have never been. I have seen plenty
of states declared "failed" when hostile to America and "booming" when friends with America and the West.What can cost USA and the West and I sincerely believe should not is the tendency to micromanage other countries affairs. Who should rule, who should be in opposition. Back Musharaf, or wait, no back Benazir now. America is not a friend but a bully because friends do not meddle. This is not the first time that Pakistan is being treated by America in this way.
Pakistan has suffered a great deal with its association with USA in one way or another. Used during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and left to pick up the pieces afterwards. I believe that the same thing is happening again. Then there is another aspect of the story as well and this is about what Pakistanis themselves do to there country. America as a nation will always look to defend its own interests and can’t be blamed for that but micromanaging the situation in Pakistan has
created a lot of abhorrence among Pakistanis.Democracy is nothing but a fancy word in the region where Pakistan is located. World’s biggest powers like Russia and China and regional players like Iran plus all the Stans of Central Asia are non democratic. In a region where nearly three fifth of the humanity lives, apart from India there is no democratic country. Is there a reason for that, I believe there is and that is the collective perceived/actual paranoia towards the West. There is a need for this to be countered somehow but constant meddling, giving deadlines; dictation to sovereign countries does not help the cause. Pakistan has lost largest number of lives among all the coalition countries fighting against terrorism and if there is still doubt on its real intentions then watch out.
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Pakistan is not Burma or Iraq, if anything it is like Turkey where Army has a defined role in the Public life, which is not to let religion permeate too much into Pakistani society and houses of Power. It is true that Islam has been used by General Zia's presidency but apart from that army has always been secular and maintained good relations with Western countries. But you need two hands to clap and Pakistan is waiting for the other hand.
Related Posts:
1. Why British Tabloid (Gutter Press) Spreads Hate Against Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Team & Muslims In General
2. PAKISTAN - Is Media Overreaching Itself?
3.A List Of Indian Media Lies - Dishonesty of Indian Media
4.Failed Media and Fake Democrats in Pakistan
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