Please do not ridicule intelligence of protesters by saying “it’s a fun day out" for those starved of entertainment.
RAWALPINDI: This is with reference to Chris Cork’s article of October 2, “So where are we?”. I would like to address Mr Cork directly in my letter. I have been an avid reader of your columns and have been thoroughly enjoying them for their objectivity. But ever since your columns on ‘Containerstan’, you have really disappointed me and I am sure, your other readers too. I am not a young revolutionary, but a retired government servant and have served in many positions, including a four-year stint in our high commission in the UK, and I have seen it all. I have seen the flagrant misuse of taxpayers’ money by various political and government functionaries and have been subject to my share of heart burning. Now that the nation is trying to come out of its deep slumber, you are pouring cold water over it. In response to your comment that “the VIPs will do as they please” even after the “camera-phone epic set in an aircraft doorway”, no sir, the VIPs will think twice before attempting this again. The same VIP was shown on social media, sitting in a passenger lounge, waiting for another flight much before the scheduled departure time.
You are correct in stating that Imran Khan has been surrounded by recycled politicians, but firstly, they are not many and secondly, from where do you think he can import absolutely clean politicians, untouched by controversy?
You may have noticed that for the first time in the history of this country, a very large segment of the educated middle class has come out on the streets for the sake of change. So, please do not ridicule the intelligence of these people by saying that “it’s a fun day out for a population starved of anything remotely like having a good time”. This section of society has all the means to have a lot of fun within the comfort of their homes, but they choose to come out for the sake of our country.
Qazi Imtiazuddin
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
