| October 31, 2001 | Wednesday | Shaba’an 13, 1422 |
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Myth and reality
‘Unstinted support’ and our interest
China’s entry into WTO and Pakistan
Lawlessness of refugees
Our unknown heroes
Delayed accountability
Countering propaganda
Trade in counterfeit goods
Internet voice communication
Road without lights
PPP leader’s version
Encashing bombs
I AGREE with H.N. Akhtar’s letter ‘Sermons without essence’ (Oct 25).
As a fifth-generation immigrant whose ancestors left the subcontinent when the British ruled (but still with strong family ties to Pakistan), one aspect of Pakistani society that is becoming increasingly apparent to me only now as a result of recent events is the extent to which it had become polarized. On the one hand, there are those who ‘worship’ the western way of life and one could be forgiven for thinking that they would love nothing more than to obtain a ‘green card’ and migrate to the USA.
In their quest to westernize and/or to achieve ‘upper class’ status, not only have they adopted western thinking without question, they have even adopted western derogatory terminology to refer to any Muslim who appears devout as ‘fundamentalist’, ‘militant’, ‘jihadi’ and even ‘terrorist’. The sad part is that most of them are less knowledgeable about Islam and Islamic history than many non-Muslims in the west.
How many of these ‘secular, liberal, progressive gentlemen’ (as Mr Akhtar puts it) even know the foundations and history of secularism? For anyone needing a dose of what Islam and Muslims have contributed to world civilization (philosophy, science, technology) I highly recommend obtaining the documentary Islam: Empire of Faith which was recently shown on the PBS network here in the USA and which I have been told is available on video.
On the other hand, we also have well-meaning Muslims who unfortunately have very little knowledge of Islam. How many know anything about Islamic jurisprudence? Or the Islamic system of economics? How many know anything about the concept of ‘Ijtehad’? What these two groups have in common is ignorance. Just as is the case in the west, it is currently fashionable for the ‘intelligentsia’ in Pakistan to denounce Islamists as terrorists. Inevitably, ‘modernists’ will use western buzzwords like secularism. Inevitably also, ‘religious’ groups will promote the cause of an Islamic state. Unfortunately, neither side has got much of a clue about what constitutes an Islamic state.
Anyone who is willing to investigate the issue of an Islamic state seriously will find that it is a system of government as sophisticated as the system of government that the west has been ‘exporting’ to other countries. And I challenge the current notion that only secularism can provide the answer to the universal question of what shape a just system of government should take. Forget teaching non-Muslims about Islam, it is high time for the Islamic ‘intelligentsia’ to step forward and educate Muslims about Islam. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, we might end up with a strong and prosperous Pakistan that doesn’t have to sacrifice its principles the moment the ‘going gets tough’ as it appears to have done now.
M. ARSHAD KHAN
Canton, USA
FREEDOM of speech, freedom from prejudice, no racial discrimination, justice for all and the list goes on and on. This was true for the country of great expectations and numerous dreams — the United States of America.
However, what happened on Sept 11 changed the perspective completely. The principles that the United States of America held so dear were totally shattered.
The generation of my father and his father always used to say that amongst the western countries, the Americas, as was said for the USA, is the best: for it advocates no racial or religious prejudice.
The USA never interfered with the beliefs of any person. Never were the Muslims ordered to leave their job or school for wearing hijab or for sporting a beard.
They had a feeling that as long as they performed their work well they could even become heads of their department or company. Why did they have these wrong notions? Simply because this is what the United States of America professed. These were the principles on which this country of numerous dreams was established. But what has really happened after 30 years of their stay and hard work? They have to stop openly practising their faith for fear of their lives. Is it not tragic?
The USA had also been a haven for people who desired justice. The government guaranteed a flawless legal system. A person until proven guilty is innocent; this was quoted not just in their law books but was followed in their courtrooms too.
I must stop to take a huge breath and then say my next line in sorrow. If all this was continuously practised, then why is Osama bin Laden being convicted for the Sept 11 disaster without proper investigation? Why are Muslims all over the USA being targeted by fanatics for no fault of their own? Do not take me wrong, I am no great fan of Osama bin Laden or his Al Qaeda network. For I am a simple Muslim, but where have all the principles of justice vanished?
Is it not then true that in the real world it is always easier to fight for your principles then to live up to them? Does this not simply indicate that principles are simply important until they work in your favour? The day they go against your interests and values, they should be abandoned as fast as hot coal.
SAHAR AFRIDI
Karachi
THIS refers to a news item published in various newspapers regarding the US demand for the use of the Mianwali airport.
Those at the helm of affairs in the PAF and the Army must be aware of the strategic importance of the Mianwali air base, which is hardly three to four minutes of flying time away from one of our most important air bases, the one at Sargodha.
Though the government has not yet given such a permission, there are visible chances that they might do so in the near future. If it happens, it would be a disastrous decision. And the demands might not stop there. The next could be for Peshawar or Masroor airbases, which are the backbone of our air force.
There is no such thing as ‘unstinted support’ in international affairs. One has to take into account one’s national and strategic interests. It is now high time for the Musharraf government to draw a line, and see the US demands on a one-to-one basis.
Giving away our operational bases to the US would surely harm our national interests, as it would affect the preparedness of our air force. This must be of great concern to every Pakistani, especially when there is news of massive troops deployment by India at our borders.
WAQUAR ANJUM KHAN
Karachi
AS China becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, competition will surge in the global trade and industry and foreign capital would be flying fast to China. As a result of this, countries like Pakistan which are trying to attract foreign investment, would lose much of it to China.
China has three advantages: (i) cheap and abundant educated workers, (ii) cheap land and (iii) solid infrastructure.
Classifying ‘solid infrastructure’ as a pipedream for the short-run and assuming our real estate prices won’t compete with New York City’s anytime soon, Pakistan’s best bet would be to focus on producing educated young men and women.
Pakistan’s biggest asset right now is its huge and fast-growing population: young and ambitious people who are willing to work harder and at lower wages. If they are equipped with proper education, Pakistan can have a bright future.
AHSEN ABRO
Boston, USA
PAKISTAN Railways have stopped the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) through Chaman customs checkpost following a violent demonstration by Afghan refugees on Oct 8, which damaged Kuchlak Railway Station and also the 128-km railway track between Quetta and Chaman. Is there no law in this country to check such criminal activities or no machinery to enforce that law?
Why has the government not taken any action against these people and sen