The regime’s culture — II

Alas, old habits die hard, hence the current stance — ‘we oppose drone attacks and are trying our utmost to persuade the US to desist’. Considering that drones, if not actually parked in Pakistan, enjoy access to our bases and have thankfully eliminated several blood-thirsty terrorists, including Baitullah Mehsud, the untruth and the charade being played out is self-defeating. Consistently repeated, it damages further, if that is possible, Mr Gilani’s own credibility. Besides, by refusing to face up to real issues, it betrays cowardice.

What, for example, would be so wrong in placing the facts before the public and alluding to the utility that drones palpably have in the ongoing war? Indeed, if drone attacks were not an efficacious method of keeping the terrorists on the run, why are we so keen to acquire the technology? Nor has the public been told that drone attacks are regarded by the inhabitants of Fata as the most efficacious, if not the only, weapon the extremists fear; and that the strikes vastly inhibit the Taliban’s ability to move, concert forces and plan attacks on targets in Pakistan.

Why does the government also not explain that the collateral damage caused by drones is really a fraction of that caused by shelling by our own forces on Taliban encampments, often located in populated areas, or by the Taliban’s indiscriminate actions? And that the toll in terms of civilian casualties is actually small. Why beat around the bush, wail and gnash our teeth in frustration and express our helplessness to prevent drone strikes when some of the targets are selected on intelligence provided by us?

And while we are giving this a thought, what about the government’s focus on our Taliban when there is evidence to suggest that some of the Afghan Taliban are in cahoots with our Taliban, who are attacking us. Why leave the Afghan Taliban out from the troubles we face from our Taliban? The government is doing so because it is walking a tightrope act and the media is perceived to be more polemically anti-US and less objective about all the dimensions of the mega crisis that confronts us. In short there is a deliberate game of denial going on.

To maintain such postures, especially the stance on drones, knowing it to be wrong, demeans self-respect. It merely promotes the kind of patriotism which consists of hating all other nations. It fulfils our worst wishes because it enables us to cheat and, while doing so, gives the impression that, but for our unfortunate circumstances, we would be profoundly virtuous. It’s a classic example of self-delusion.

The fact is there can be no effective planning or government unless three fundamental truths are conceded by those at the helm of the government. First, that what the government believes is not necessarily true; second, that what the government likes is not necessarily good; and third that what the government does is not necessarily the best of all options. And finally, always keep an open mind.

Of course, such prattle, we have already been warned, will have no effect on the inhabitants of the presidency who have devoted to money-making ventures, riding and golf the enthusiasm and perseverance they have withheld from reading and cogitating. Perhaps to get the attention of this incorrigible lot, we should switch from writing columns to appearing on television, although that’s a medium which does not always promote better understanding. Sadly, there is no knob on the TV set to turn up the intelligence level as opposed to the brightness level.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2011.