Journalists and local residents surround the compound where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad May 3, 2011. - Reuters Photo
“All praise is for the Almighty who bestowed sovereignty upon the army, then made the people subservient to the army and the army subservient to its own interests” — Justice M R Kayani
Here we are today, at the lowest point in our recent history. Found not in a cave of Tora Bora or in the ragged mountains of Waziristan but in the serenity of Abbottabad, living within a mile of the famous parade ground of PMA Kakul, next door neighbour to an Army Major and in the city that hosts three regimental centres, Osama Bin Laden, in our very own country. Many had feared that this day would come, but never imagined he would be living in such a suspiciously well protected manner.
By this time, I can assume with a high confidence that opinions and columns in the hundreds, if not thousands, have been written on what was Pakistan’s role in the raid, how Pakistan could have missed the most wanted man on Earth, what it means for Pakistan and how to move on. But, in the midst of all, we are losing a battle that we, the ‘bloody civilians’, have been eager to fight for too long.
Imagine this. The hurriedly called morning meeting at the roundtable in GHQ on May 2. Major and Lieutenant Generals tense and nervous, not knowing what to say. The General, K, possibly broke the ice by asking everyone about their last evening’s score on the 9-holes at the state subsidised Rawalpindi Golf Club. It was a birdie on the difficult 6th, he said. Oh, and he allegedly met the Chief Minister of Punjab too for some unknown reason.
What goes on in the corridors of military power is a mystery to us. What guides their actions remains a complex web of calculations, strategic they say, often immoral, disgusting, irrational and suicidal in our eyes. They value their assets, they hedge their bets and they play both sides of the game and try to bluff the single most powerful country in the world, to which they have played as a near mercenary force for a fair time (“Our Army can be Your Army” said Field Marshal Ayub Khan, the darling of the khaki apologists).
What we know today is that this is possibly the biggest embarrassment the military has faced in a long, long time. Forget 1971, it was far more morally disastrous but it had its jingoistic and racist supporters, but even in the eyes of the khaki-apologist, today the military is naked and deserving of criticism. The khaki apologist who becomes a constitutionalist when it comes to the failings of the army (the politicians are the constitutional power holders, they guided the actions, they “sold the country”, not the Army – is the usual defence) and are cognizant of the military’s powers only when it is on the good side of things, is angry today too. There are too many questions.
Did we protect him? Did we give him refuge? Why would we do that? If not, did we ignore his presence? Are we this incompetent? Did the Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) never ask a question about a mysterious seven kanal house with a three-story building, built by settlers known from being Waziristan? Is the holy mother of all agencies so inept and useless that in the sweeps done around areas visited regularly by the Army Chief and the upper hierarchy, they never got suspicious of the house and its residents? How did bin Laden come to Abbottabad in the first place? Did he take a Rs. 70, 13-seater Hiace ride from Mansehra and stop off at the Baloch Regimental Center?
If not, then why did they allow a foreign power to come in and hunt him down? Did our forces coordinate and collaborate with the US on the raid? Why are they not speaking? It is not as if they would not want to take credit for it. The logic of avoiding the local terrorists’ wrath is just too pathetic, they already target us. Mullah Omar’s, Hekmatyar’s and Haqqani’s anger be damned, this is their protector we are talking about. It is stupid, nay unimaginable, that our forces collaborated extensively and do not want to take credit for it. They would not risk inviting the wrath of the international media that they have called upon themselves today.
And then there is the ultimate nightmare. If they did not know about the operation, then really, like the Foreign Office in its poorly worded, shamefully funny press statement says, we failed to respond in time to nothing less than an invasion? At cruise speed, terrain hugging and avoiding radars, a UH-60 “Blackhawk” (or even the secretive stealth helicopter that are rumoured to have been used, although non-stealth Chinooks are alleged to have provided support too) would have easily spent more than 30 minutes inside Pakistani territory before the soldiers roped down into the compound. A 40-minute operation and then the return ride. In all, the US team spent at least an hour-and-a-half inside Pakistan and we failed to respond? Were our radars jammed completely? Did we even fail to respond to visual sighting of a bunch of helicopters? Is our response time so slow? With three regimental centres in a highly militarised town, no one was able to answer to a 40-minute ground operation by foreign forces? Are our defenses so inept and weak? Did we scramble jets? When did we, if, realise that it was a friendly country conducting an anti-terrorism raid and not “the enemy”? What is the purpose of keeping the armed forces if they consume such a large chunk of our budget and fail to respond to nothing less than an invasion that lasted for 90 full minutes?
I am, for not a single moment, arguing we should have shot down the Americans. I for one believe they did the right thing. For all we know, it was the nightmare we have, that some sympathetic group in our very forces protected the most wanted man on Earth. The questions I pose are the multitude that people from various facets of life and inclinations ask. They ask what would happen if India were to carry out the “surgical strike” that their jingoists threaten of? They ask, yes India is not the United States, but how could our air defense systems be so easily jammed and fooled and tricked? They ask, what is the response time to an invasion? What is the purpose of an Army that let’s others not just operate in its territory, but come in, operate and go back?
So, today, we are at a point where the Army’s defenses are weak. It is being criticised by the international community and ever so slightly, by locals too. But the criticism is weak and non-existent in comparison to what it should be. This is the time when the Army is rightfully exposed to the most criticism. If you ever held any views on civil-military balance that did not hold civilians in contempt, right now is the time to shout and be heard.
If there’s anything that can be guaranteed, it is that the military will remain the most dominant player in the echelons of power for the times to come. And because that will happen, we will continue to fight for “strategic depth” in Afghanistan, we will continue to hold India as the mortal enemy, we will continue to amass even more nuclear weapons, procure even more fighter jets and buy another air refueler and what not. We will remain an impoverished, militarised, third world country. And as long as we remain militarised, and existing only to fight against the mythical enemy, the schools will remain dysfunctional, the hospitals non-existent and the people, poor, hungry and malnutritioned.
Barely 40 hours before the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or SEAL Team Six, fast roped down into the compound of Osama bin Laden, our Army Chief told a ceremony at the annual ‘Youm-e-Shuhuda’ (Day of the Martyrs) that prosperity must not come at the cost of honour and dignity. Where was the honour and dignity when, like the Foreign Office says, soldiers from another country basically invaded ours, operated and went back, without even so much as a bird being swatted in response?
The political process is an evolutionary one. Slowly, and slowly, we are moving towards a functional democracy. A Public Accounts Committee functions well today, maybe another institution of accountability and justice and public service will improve tomorrow. The politics of urbanisation is here. But amongst all this evolutionary change, unless the fish with the small legs comes out of the water, the process of evolution will face the ultimate barrier – the military.
I do not aim to demonise the military here. Our soldiers have laid down immense sacrifices for the protection of our boundaries. They have protected us from threats, both internal and external. Even today, make no mistake, we are at a state of war for such a large active deployment of soldiers is nothing short of a full-fledged war, and they are the constant targets of the forces of evil and enemies of humanity. But it is the higher direction of war that is misguided and irrational. We wanted to liberate Kashmir in 1965 and we failed. It only resulted in a large loss of life, loss of sympathy for the Kashmir cause and a permanent setback to the economy. We sent soldiers to die on the peaks of Kargil, fooling a Prime Minister and a nation and thinking that the world would accept that those were “non-state actors” and not our own soldiers. We abandoned our own uniformed men to die on the peaks when we could not even supply them with the basic food supplies for our war was adventurous and the shenanigans of a would-be autocrat. We have lost too many soldiers to the misguided policies of our higher brass. The soldier is just a pawn in the games of the powerful, for his life is a small price in the game of chess they play.
For all their failings, the politicians we have are ones we elected. Incompetent, greedy and often despicable as they are (supporting rapists and honour killers), they represent the collective will of the people in a system marred by inefficiencies and problems. Today is the time for them to come into action. It is not the time to be busy installing gas pipes in UC-84 of Muzaffargarh or to be making sure that their brothers and cousins got the 10 kilometre road construction contract. Today is the time to hold the military accountable for their failures and their actions and bring some direction to the state of affairs.
If there was a time for all facets of society to collectively bargain for change and demand action, this is the time. Come what may, a loosely tied group of non-elected, unelectable, “civil society activists” cannot bring change. Change has to come from the political class. Only they have the tools and the platform to do it. It is directly affected by the media and the perceived voice of the public. The fire breathing demagogues of television ape each other. Kharbooza kharboozey ko dekh kar rang pakarta hai. One of them rips apart a poetic self-righteous line on sovereignty and others feel the need to do so. Imagine that if we can collectively raise hue and cry, how the politicians cannot become sensible and secure enough to take action and hold the military accountable. While it would be commendable if they could resign for their failures, but they get extensions, it is upto the public to demand accountability. Intelligence failures in 1965 were never addressed, the concerned officer was promoted(!). In 1999, the adventurer toppled the government. Isn’t it time we demanded accountability of the powerful and unaccountable?
The Kargil Review Committee Report, commonly called the Subrahmanyam Report, was just a small step in the evolution of India’s civil-military balance. The politicians held their military accountable for the failures of Kargil. We never did that. Today is the most opportune time to do that. Constitute a Parliamentary Commission, for we do not have a Subrahmanyam, nor should we rely on ex-bureaucrats to do that. Select a few hawks, a Tehmina Daultana and a Khawaja Asif. Select a few mild, calculated and efficient politicians, a Raza Rabbani and SherryRehman. Do not put dubiously pro-military politicians like Chaudhry Nisar or ex-generals like Jehangir Ashraf Qazi on it. Summon the DG ISI, DG MI, DG IB. Summon the Army Chief. Summon the bureaucrats. Summon the experts. Summon everybody. Make them testify. Ask them the tough questions. Make the report, if not the proceedings, public.
What should they ask them? I cannot imagine that anybody would even want to ask the unimaginable (did we protect him?). It can only be an intelligence failure inquiry. The good that can come out of this exercise is enormous. A much needed and necessary reform in the intelligence community, a reform in the civil-military balance and a reform in the culture that defines the rules of Islamabad. For once, we could even bring the ISI under civilian control and make it focus on intelligence and counter-terrorism not chasing journalists on CD-70s. For once, we could, just maybe, begin to redress the civilian-military [im]balance in the favour of the civilians. Define the policy, make the policy and own it. Do not let the Generals do it for you anymore. We can, for the first time ever, dream of a national security and foreign policy dictated not by Rawalpindi and Aabpara, but one where civilians make competent decisions, impose their supervision and enable the military to competently implement it.
The op-ed writers, the TV anchors and the pundits are busy answering the questions that either the west has or the old, aged line around the smokescreen of sovereignty. They are missing the point. There is good that holds for us in this.
In the wake of 1971, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto passed gagging orders to prevent the media from criticising the military. The soldiers who returned later were protected by the state and no one was allowed to criticise their actions. Their honour was literally restored by Bhutto. And they sent him to the gallows.
We must not put a shroud on the failures of the military anymore. We have embarrassed our country a lot already. Today is the time for reform, redress and for us to start a new beginning.The military must face music for its actions and failures. Civilian power must be recognised. Strike while the iron is hot.
Shahid Saeed likes to read history and tweet at @shahidsaeed
Print This Post 
Email This Post
great job, u r doing good work.
Brilliant article. I loved this article because after a long time, someone has not just identified the problem, which many of us are already aware of, but has offered intelligent, actionable solutions. One of the biggest problems facing Pakistan is the apathy of the silent majority.
I absolutely agree with Mr Junaid, in no discrimination between planes/drones from any country violating our land .
At the same time we have a two fold battle against Corrupt n selfish POLITICIANS and Hypocate ARMY OFFICIALS and Bueaucracy. That should be done through Public, Media n Judiciary. I swear , I will play my part honestly.
This article raised correct issues that suggests ways to correct Pakistans current problems. A peaceful and prosperous neighbour is good for India.
I have a point on General Kayani’s remark “prosperity must not come at the cost of honour and dignity”. Those working in private companies will never agree to this. With prosperity, money can restore dignity later in a different way.
A very thought provoking piece. Kudos to the author for writing the brief and concise ills which have sabotaged development generally in the sub-continent and particularly in Pakistan. I also appreciate that fact that countries in sub-continent have neither the resources nor the aptitude to invest in human resource but have King Solomons riches to spend on extravagant toys of destruction.
I feel India and Pakistan have to redefine the word, “enemy”. It is within us. Our enemy is poverty, ill-literacy, bigot-ism, corruption, etc. I also hope that the young generation, if freed from the burden of history of hatred, would redefine the future of our great nations.
Excellent article. The military needs a reason to exist and that leads to unnecessary fight between India and Pakistan. As people, I don’t think that we consider each other an enemy. It is created by the government, the BJP in India and the military in Pakistan. I hope that Pakistan leads the way here and become a successful democratic nation, and become a beacon to the rest of the world. I am glad that people like you have the guts to talk about it public. Thank you for writing such an excellent article.
Very well said!Exact portrayal of millions at homeland. We have waited enough. its time to bring Military executives to put to trial along with their so called Democratic rulers. We wanna hear all of them and ‘All of It’. What are we waiting for????
Excellent article. The only sensible article I have come across that dares to ask the real questions. Well done, Sir!
Wonderful article. Appreciate that the author has taken the risk to write such a bold article against the powerful mafia in Pakistan. May you stay safe!
According to American sources, OBL was living at this location for past 5-6 years. It was the time of Musharraf ,the favourite dictator of Bush & Chaney.Americans should question him.
Four american planes were hijacked, and they destroyed their intended target. And they did it against a supper power, the most advanced country on planet earth. DID anyone blamed CIA for not detected the threat? DID anyone wrote a article against them? Shame on you for writing such hateful articles!!!
Yes, the CIA was heavily criticized and it led to the complete resructure of the security apparatus in the US. It is now called the department of Home Land Security, in case you didn’t know.
The response from the Pakistani establishment spokesman after the Osama event is an indication of the insecurity and paranoia afflicting the State. Its weakness is only too apparent and its dependence on US aid for survival is a testimony to its failure.
Good work.keep it up.Atleast you showed some courage to speak truth.May we as nation become an honest and truthful as well.Ameen.
if this army does not learn it’s lessons soon a time will come that Pakistan’s army personnel will feel shame to tell others about their job.
Kayani and Pasha should be brought before the joint session of Parliament and questioned for their role/missing role in the entire scenario. THe nation needs this accountability. We don’t need the sixth largest army in the world and the 60% of the budget, we should just rent out the Stealth Bombers/ radar evading aircraft which the SEALs u and spend the Defense budget on building schools, hospitals, dams and roads.
Thanks Shahid. You gave words to our silence but can this really happen? I have lot of respect for the our army but they should be accountable.
A well written thoughtful article!
well, the term “khaki Apologists” used in this article shows emotions and anger but it doesnt help solving the problems, does it?
I know two things
1. When civil government failed in Swat it was Army who came and took Swat back from militant and is rebuilding it for civil
2. After the flood when the civil government was helpless it was army who came and did all the relief work.
In a democracy, army works under the parliament and accountable to the parliament which in turn is accountable tot he people of the state. It’s not a question whether army saved or civilian govt saved you. Army is only carrying out it’s function by doing so if they did.
Excellent writing. Said it all. This anger is expressed by Pakistanis everywhere.
yes very well written but this is one side of the story or we can say a common man thinking without knowing the truth and as we all know we cannot know the real truth, everyone is running his own shop
i am wondering what concrete proof author had that US claims are true this time? if there was no osama then all this emotional outburst is destined for waste bin.
Kudos to Dawn. It takes guts to publish the truth.
Perhaps one day, we will have an Army chief who will agree that we need to reduce the size of our Army and reduce the defense budget. That day will mark the start of Pakistan’s revival
Musharraf was a better man than Kayani. He with all his short commings was for Pakistan first.
Excellent article. We need more and louder voices saying what the author has clearly articulated. The political leadership must recognize this moment in history. People within the military must also reconsider their passion for strategic depth which has brought nothing but strategic death for us. Well done, Shahid!
NOW is the time… the nation needs to stand boldly in front of the so-called leaders, saviours and politicians of Pakistan.
Excellent article written by a brave man and published by a courageous newspaper. Unfortunately, the military machine is so deeply and widely entrenched that it is almost impossible to dislodge them but not impossible if there are enough brave people who are able and willing to stand up to them.
People all over the world are rational. Pakistanis are no exception. It takes time for people to realize and act. Instead of waiting for the turmoil in the Arab street repeating in Pakistan, it is time for the sane elements in Pakistan to wake up and make the army accountable. Failure to do so will only prolong the embrassment to continue, decades after decades.
In spite of the large number of Pakistanis getting killed every day either in drone attacks or the terrorists bombs, there is absolutely no sympathy for the helpless people of Pakistan. And there wont be when it is simple double speak whether it is by the army or the political leadership. It is for the people of Pakistan to look at reality, even if it is naked, and then actg.
“I swear that I speak the truth nothing but the truth”. Thats it!!!!!!!!.The writer has don his job, rest is left to……..God may help us and give us courage to accept the truth.
“I swear that I speak the truth nothing but the truth”. Thats it!!!!!!!!.The writer has don his job, rest is left to……..God may help us and give us courage to accept the truth.
The first thing to make up our mind about this war against terrorism.We are definitely playing a double game. All spy masters end up doing that because you cannot trust anyone.US has been talking to Taliban over our head.But that is not the issue. Pakistan is divided as one can see in the turn of events.There is a reservoir of sympathy for OBL after all his guys have done to Pakistanis.We are not one on this issue.
You must not confuse dissatisfaction with our relationship with USA and our resentment of its actions with sympathy for OBL. Those who mourn OBL donot do so for his actions or views but for his resistance, however misguided to the forces we see as imperial and unjust which seem to be guiding us towards anarchy and destruction. It is time for Pakistanis to wake up and let our leaders know in the next elections how we feel, for if we leave it any longer the consequences will be catatrophic for everyone.
I agree, some heads (read military) should roll here. Its time to hang those generals. However, i dont get your line about not shooting down those planes. Why not? Just because they came to get OBL? Do you then also support not shooting down those drones that invade our territory almost daily? What if indians fly in tomorrow to shoot dead their target? Why should we not accept their conduct then?
We should never ever allow anyone to conduct any offensive action on our soil. These generals might not have known that US planes had entered the territory but they knew it once the raid started and they choose not to do anything. I firmly believe that the day we start to shoot their planes down, we will Inshallah turn the corner in our history.
Junaid, I agree no other country should be allowed to invade. However, to earn that respect Pakistan must play it’s part and not support terrorisam. Had army and government done it’s part, Pakistan would not have been embrassed this bad. It’s a shame that people still do not undrestand right from wrong.
So everybody has bought the story that Bin Laden was actually living there, and was actually killed by US invaders, unknown and undetected by our army? No body is questioning the queer facts: the only photo published was acknowledged as a forgery, the body was not shown to the media, the body was transported from Abbottabad to the sea (Must be 1800+ kilometers from Abbottabad) only to dispose it off, in such a hurry as if the dead Osama was about to detonate nuclear bombs, not shown to the world media, not handed over for a decent burial?
The US public buys anything that runs continuously on media – we should have better sense.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan wanted Pakistan to be a secular,moderate, democratic state,,,, Where is our Jinnah?
Three cheers! God save Pakistan from the generals!
A well-written article, posing some searching questions about the very identity and purpose of Pakistan. A refreshing change from the usual pollyannaish attitute of most Pakistanis about the state of their country.
I have no reason to disbelieve that Osama Bin Laden is dead. But I have no reason or evidence to believe that he is dead .
Do we buy the story from Americans even if it is from their President ? I am not sure
Assuming he is dead as the Americans have told us via media,
Is the method of Killing an unarmed(at the point of killing) terrorist right ? Does he not deserve a chance to prove his “innocence”
Oh God, Can you save your creation called Earth. ? Do you still trust the Power that runs this world ?
well, well,well. the author is toeing the line of Indians and may Indians have shown their happiness and joy on the article and the remarks of many Pakistani’s. Let me clear the air by asking few questions, Who created Osama bin laden at first place, who used Osama bin laden during soviet war? These are the questions which needs to be answered before reaching to a conclusion and blaming Pakistan Army. what America is doing in the World generally and in Muslim countries in particular? It is a big game and we may not understand it at this moment, but time will come when all the imbiguties will be resolved and minds will be clear. At the moment picture is hazy so don’t jump to the conclusions and do not be a part of the blame game. May Allah bless our beautiful country.(Ameen)
farooqi sahib, this is not the only episode we (people of Pakistan)are defamed, this is one of many and countless episodes we suffered in 63 years. It is time to conclude to their logical end.
@Farooqi- The question is about what is happening now and is it in the best interest of Pakistan and not about what US did with Osama 30yrs ago. Things have changed all over the world over last two decades and terrorism is a biggest threat for human society. At this juncture – it is highly immoral and cruel to side with guys who take their enjoyment by killing innocents or blowing up girls schools!
Dear Friend,
Wy do u think Indian are happy abt Pakistan?It is ur wrong perception. At one time I hated Pakistan like anything, but not now? I am a human being first. And Humanity there is no place for hatred. For ur kind information, the sweepers in Kashmir are so rich because of the miltancy, they really want it to continue so that they can earn more money. Look at the things from practiacl way. U can fight with anybody, but to resolve, u have to sit across the table. Come out of it.
The writer seems sorry for Osama.
No, the writer is able to see that life is not black and white.
Great article.
A truly nice article refelecting feeling of every consious pakistani. I feel sad, humilated & angry but helpless.
We have become a nation of corrupt & shameless leaders both civil & military.
We people are exhausted, sick & hopeless.
What an epic level of incompetency we buy for 5 billion dollar a year as a nation!!This army is going to protect our nation??? we need protection from them!!GOD HELP US……..
Precisely what we need. Timing is of essence.
An excellent article. As long as people like the author are in Pakistan. There is a hope. What happened to people’s pride. Why are they not on the roads yet. Only ordinary people can bring change. Forget about politicians.
Don’t take these things seriously. During war with the soviets American knew all the time where Osama lived. Pakistan and America had the same interests then. Their interests are not the same today and I am sure both sides lie to each other. Whatever the two are doing is not in the interest of the people. So why should we worry. Values in the global village do not exist anymore, then why one should not lie if he has to protect his personal interests. What the American are doing in Libya speaks volumes about the human rights ! What if Pakistan violated human rights telling a lie
A very thought provoking and well written article. Being an Indian myself i can appreciate some of the examples you have given. The Executive and Army in any nation should be held accountable for their actions. There is so much growth and opportunity in Asia today, liberals and intellectuals like you should use social media to change views and opinions. this decade belongs to the nation that uses social media to inspire and motivate do gooders. All the best!
Good journalists like you and common people of Pakistan and India should start a movement for unification of these two estranged brothers. Yes there will be hardships but sentiments of goodwill from both sides will help tide over them with a smile. All our problems, heavy defense budgets, bickering over Kashmir, pathetic state of institutions in Pakistan would slowly but surely vanish and one big land mass would live in peace and prosperity.
Sir ,
Please let me differ from you on one important point. It is more practical to make steps in the right direction , than to jump outright. As first steps in the right direction it is imperative to improve relations between Pakistan and India.This in itself would take a lot of effort and time but it is really worth. This would release billons of dollars for the development of the region.
It is a shame that some people of this country are critisizing the Army which has laid down 4000 lives to ensure that there children can go to schools and there families can go to markets without fear. A terrorist is killed these people are worried. These terrorist have killed 32000 Pakistanis and today 8 more in Quetta, but i m sure they will not utter a single word to condemn these incidents. I m sure, they will not utter a single word of praise for those soldiers who have yesterday destroyed a terrorist vehicle full of explosives, knowing well that this will endanger there own lives.
The article reflects the current thinking of our impoverished people.The people want to support their armed forces.But not any price.We crossed the rubicon on 2nd May.
I do not expect this corrupt and inept government to bell the cat.
Could not have said it better! We need more stuff like this.
Excellent article.
You expect Zardari and Gilani to question the Pakistan’s top brass?? Most corrupt government in the history of Pakistan!
It will not happen in this government or may be never!!
PPPP, PML-N and Q to Z are all the same.
PPPP and PML-Q partners, wow!! I have no words to describe this hypocrisy.
After years of hearing your countrymen blaming everyone else but Pakistanis for its problems, this was refreshing.
excellent work ,
I salute to you. I have not read such an editorial written by anyone about Pakistan. You are a brave and courageous man. I wish Pakistan can turn around and live peacefully and democratically among nations. Military has failed Pakistan. It is not too late that people stand up and demand civilian control of the armed forces.Than and than the Pakistan can be saved for further humiliation and break up.
My hat off to Mr. Shahid Saeed on reflecting the genuine thoughts of a number of silent Pakistanis on the OBL fiasco. The problem with Pakistan (rather its bureaucracy) is that it is too arrogant and/or lazy to accept the problems with any urgency. Our leaders and ministers are never punished for not solving problems in time but rather for falling out of favor in politics. Until the Pakistani leaders and elites truly start respecting and serving their people, there is no hope for Pakistan till the sun rise in the West.
I am hoping that you or your family is not living in Pakistan,
time towakeup Pakistan,look at Middle east & learn
Great article! A country cannot progress when their military takes 25% of the money! Time to make peace, and reduce military influence and money.
As per my knowledge, the main reason behind all this serious problem is PakistanECONOMY, if Pakistan build strong Economy then no Super power country will dare to peep into pakistan…first of all stop depending on AID(AID is like AIDS..will kill someday)…
One of the best articles since May 2. Very well said.
there is no need to express regrets over the death of the butcher of 30000 people . otherwise a well wriiten write
Dear writer, i salute you for this article, i love your thoughts which are based on reality and facts.
Excellent Article, and the best one that have come across so far
Well thought article! Great job…
Well done, very well written, though I have very little faith from our Parliamenterians to do anything. I am surprised though at Imran Khan’s unusual silence! I hope military have not silenced him in the hope to send him to the corridors of power. I think Imran has the potential to reach there without their help. You are right now is the time, country is ready to take on the Army and incompetent Generals.
simply disgraceful. An effort to creat rift between pakistani public and forces
Excellent article……how powerless the civilian force is in Pakistan compared to the ISI and the military. There is no point in giving a large share of GDP to the forces when they cannot even respond to a foreign force intrusion so deep within their borders (forget responding talk about detecting).
It is true that defence and sovereignty should be the top most priority of any country. Now the incident has disgraced the latter for sure, its time for the people to hold the army accountable.
Progress and prosperity of the country and people should also be given importance.
You literally gave words to thoughts of all sane people in Pakistan. There is nothing to disagree with this opinion. All correct and practical.
If USAMA BIN LADEN in CHINA,US Force can kill Him……..????????????
Why would China provide sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden in the First Place? Their borders are NOT as pores as any Third world country like Pakistan or India is!
Bravo. Excellent article. The military must always be under civilian control. Generals do not make a country’s policies they implement them.
Excellent piece. If someone would be willing to translate and publish this in our Urdu newspapers it would do wonders for our nation. People need to start demanding that the security establishment be held accountable as well. The time to ignore it’s mistakes at the nation’s cost can no longer be tolerated.
Excellent article. I agree with every single word you have written.
On the spot. I am more action, less words. Lets start! Facebook? twitter? anyone?
“civil society activists cannot bring change”. You are wrong. A single activist can bring around a revolution. e.g. Hazare, OBL of Islam.
I totally, TOTALLY agree with every single word you’ve said. However, I have very little hope that the things you’ve said will actually happen
.
BRAVO
I Agree. The time is right. The time is now.
Excellent article.
Totally agree there should be an inquiry in to this. The country has become a mess today .. Govt can’t demand answers from Army .. People can’t hold the govt accountable and so on.
Why dare not ask the questions are they stand ‘Did we know about him or protected him’. Unless one ask questions you wont get answers and without answers we are nothing but brainless animals
Good or bad these politicians are brought in by the people and they have a right to hold the army accountable.
There is no electricity no good education no jobs neither good quality health facilities what kind of country is this?
Wow.. I have not seen an article so authenic and brave. It takes a lot of nerve to say the truth, even it hurts your pride. But that is what a true journalist job is. Any country should be proud of you. As long as they let you speak, there is still hope for the future generation of this continent. I for on salute you…
Bingo you have got the main point…its time to grab the armed forces by the juglar and make them accountable for their actions! They have too much to answer in all this…….
Long but very Catchy article… Truth to the Core
I feel Journalism is the only Job in Pakistan which is functioning correctly. Pakistan can change its fate with the Pen… after all Pen is mighter than the sword.
Nothing can be achieved with Wars.. Peace is the way for prosperity
Fact is I never thought that there could be anyone that intelligent in Pakistan to make such a beautiful report about the happenings in Abbotabad. This was brave and breezy and needs attention of the political powers in Pakistan.