Give Shakeel Afridi a fair trial!

Do we know why Afridi chose to act on behalf of the CIA rather than informing Pakistani officials about Bin Laden?

Sometimes I think Pakistan and Pakistanis suffer from a collective national identity crisis. A few days ago, I happened to meet a rock-ribbed writer, known for his patriotic approach. I asked him who he considered to be the biggest enemy of Pakistan. Immediately, he replied,

“USA.”

I changed the subject and diverted the conversation to different topics, from agricultural science to astronomy and finally I asked,

“Do you remember which year we stepped on the moon?”

With a smile on his face, he replied,

 “Some time in 1969.”

“We stepped on the moon?” I exclaimed.

Everyone and I mean everyone knows that Apollo 11 was a US mission, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agency. But this is the problem we face, by and large. We lack an understanding of ourselves, our country and our roots. And hence, we are often unable to identify between enemy and friend.

While studying the history of Pakistan, our students are told that their country is a fruit of the struggle of Indian Muslims. Of course, the part that only 180 million out of 508 million Muslims of the subcontinent reside in Pakistan, is usually overlooked.

One such historic event took place on March 25, 1971 when the majority declared independence against the minority and West Pakistan began Operation Searchlight in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

On August 20 of the same year, pilot officer Rashid Minhas gave his life while trying to stop his senior, Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman who was attempting to defect to India to join his compatriots. Their bodies were buried near the crash site at the military graveyard at Masroor Air Base and Rashid Minhas was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider.

One may wonder if there should have been a court martial-for both – Matiur Rahman for attempting to defect to India and Rashid Minhas for attacking and causing the death of his senior.

I don’t know if there was a precedent; I don’t know if a junior rank officer can attack his senior if the country’s dignity is at risk. What I do know is that on June 24, 2006 the body of Matiur Rahman was finally returned to Bangladesh, where he was buried with military honour. He was awarded Bir Sreshtho – the highest military award in Bangladesh and the Jessore Air Base was also named after him.

And then, there are historical documents like the Blood Telegram and accusations of genocide, military brothels, rapes and children in war camps against the Pakistani army and politicians. Amidst all the confusion as to who should be considered a hero and who shouldn’t, I am still inclined to consider Rashid Minhas to be a great son of the soil who died while performing his duty.

After all, we are taught that history is made by those who are not bound by any prejudice but live (and die) for mankind. And this is why I feel the way in which we are taught history doesn’t help and this is how our patriotism sometimes gets the better of us. Since human understanding is relative to each person’s level of knowledge, one can only comprehend a situation based on where he/she stands on a pyramid of success and personal growth.

Unfortunately, politicians of third world countries understand the limited understanding and psychology of their subjects and hence, they develop a parallel pyramid scheme, where superiors extract profits from inferiors, rather than educating them.

Take the example of Osama bin Laden. I am really not interested in knowing what the average person thinks about Osama bin Laden. I know that perceptions vary among the common man, ranging from him being seen as an ‘enemy of mankind’ to him being considered a holy warrior. I know that these perceptions depend on the background and education of each individual and hence, vary.

What I want to know instead, is what his official status is in Pakistan, even after his death?

Has there been a serious effort to find out who was behind the construction of the Waziristan Haveli near the Military Academy in Abbotabad where Osama resided?

Do we know why Shakeel Afridi chose to act on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) rather than informing Pakistani officials of Osama’s whereabouts?

No, I do not favour releasing Afridi. But I do think that he should get his right to a fair trial where the status of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan should also be addressed. Think about it. If a military officer’s attack on his senior can earn him the Nishan-e-Haider after due investigation, then surely Shakeel Afridi has the right to be heard. If that argument doesn’t satisfy you, at least we should try to fulfil the requirements of basic justice or as they say in Latin Audi alteram partem (hear the other side too).

We have always heard that the administration of justice is the basic instinct of a civilised society. Although Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged, he is now titled the victim of ‘judicial murder’.

It is time to learn from our history – flawed as it is. It is time to play our role now. Shakeel Afridi should be allowed a fair trial and placed before the law.

Let the law decide whether to execute him if found guilty or release him if the court decides that he is innocent.

But give him a fair trial.