A day after the US slammed a 10 million dollar bounty on Hafiz Saeed, two of Pakistan’s mainstream papers had the following two headlines: “World accepts Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power — Gilani”; and, “In scorching speech, Bilawal asks apex court to apologise”. Herein lies the malady that afflicts Pakistan. In another famous historical reference, the state of the State and its rulers are best described in: ‘Nero fiddled, while Rome burned’. The Neros of our time don’t even know what bedevils them.
In a master stroke, while the ‘supreme’ parliament of Pakistan dallied with refining proposals on resuming Nato supplies through its territories, and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council blew hot with its intent to destroy Nato trucks if the supplies were resumed; and while Karachi burned yet again; and while outrage on extended power outages lace the landscape of Pakistan, America reminded us what lies in store for us in the future.
Pakistan has, for too long, lived on the edge making it assume that it belonged there. For too long, we have dithered and been too clever with things while the world has given us time to end our playful indulgence. I am afraid the flex and the rope that was cut to Pakistan has finally run out. As Pakistan now stands embarrassed before the world, with allegations that are likely to stick, on the evening of the day when a routine action of America’s Justice Department brought a Pakistani to the second highest pedestal in the Most Wanted list (right after Ayman al-Zawahiri), our charlatans were out in numbers deriding America and belittling the world with a lot of hot air that belches nonsensical emotion, misplaced pride and naïve jingoism. These people have made virtue of their vice and are trying to up the ante. Having exhausted that option they will soon begin to play the victim, remaining oblivious of the constricting space and of the tightening noose.
The first Pakistani has been now officially put on notice by America. Soon some more veritable names might get added to this potential list pushing them deep into their holes to save themselves while rendering the entire country to the mercy of others who will declare us ‘dysfunctional’ and ‘failed’.
Yes we are a nation of 180-plus million people, and yes we possess a nuclear bomb, but nothing more. We are a dependent nation and have bartered our sovereignty away at the cost of educating ourselves and making our mindsets more tolerant and inclusive. Instead, we prefer to dwell in the past and weave tales of grandeur and supremacy that disable us from moving along with the rest of the world.
In a piece that came out in this paper on April 3, 2012, my editor chose to leave the following out when I discussed the predicament of parliament as it grappled with anti-Americanism as a popular sentiment while trying to reset US-Pakistan relations. I had written that “then is the irony where first a sentiment is engineered to seek space when working through difficulties, but when the time is to repair the same relationship, in another environment, a new set of objectives is sought”. It is time now to bring these words to print.
It is famously said, ‘a stitch in time, saves nine’. Having lost that opportunity, Jalil Abbas, Pakistan’s recently-appointed foreign secretary, has got some extended work to do in mending fences and he better get down to it in earnest.
To whom do I address the title? There are many, in all parts of the state, who have contributed to Pakistan’s current fate and each will recognise his part and hence his role in the demeaning of Pakistan. I hope I am right, that Pakistan may still have time — but it will need some effort to save it from itself.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (37)
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@kaalchakra:
You need to watch Hassan Nisar in TV talk shows; he has responded well all the points raised by you.
I fully support you that Pakistan must not abandon "tried and tested" methods. Looks like you are very happy and satisfied customer of the establishment.
You should demand Pakistan raise its military budget from current 50% to at least 100% of the total annual tax revenues to achieve the stakes which right now are as high as Siachin in Himalayas.
What would be the use of any security if general public is churning under the load of poverty and scarcity of electricity, clean water, heath care, education, roads, housings, cheap railways transportation and so on...all of which cost money that has been directed to bloat the military?
Oh yes, these poor and deprived one will have security from those outsiders who want to help them.
@Cynical:
I agree. I watched the episode. The author was seen feebly argue eaxactly opposite of what he has written here.
v well written article. I agree with your analysis.
@Falcon: Dear: To me it is already too late!
Cant we just get rid of Zia-era policy? Can we afford a security state any more? Do wee need to buy bombs or fill the empty stomach of millions of people. Despite all such expenditure and rhetoric, we are NOT safe in our home. Every Pakistan lives under fear and insecurity. When on earth are we going to set our priorities in right direction- towards welfare state. This oversized security apparatus are the results of security state based ideology. Time to change this flawed policy and make a new start, before it is too late.
"Sentiments are engineered to create space" Hoar chupho!
I agree with your comments but why the differences. Trying to spite one section while trying to appease the other!!@harkol:
hoar chuppo gannay i know that joke
Harish/Ayesha:
I believe you need to see it in context. In Time Now, he was debating Pakistan's culpability in the matter with two American analysts and two Indian analysts. He could hardly conceded his motherland is somehow complicit in protecting Hafiz. Mostly a narrow legalistic defense.
But, what he is saying here is to put some sense in to his own folks, more from a context of broader national interest. Perfectly understandable.
@truebluepakistani:
Your comments are a joke, right?
I agree completely with this article. But I am seeing incongruence with your interview on the same subject with Times Now.
An article of great insight.We need to have a hard look at ourselves and this kind of writings help in doing so.
Dear Mr. Choaudhry,
You have presented a good viewpoint about what is wrong with Pakistan. The report is however, in stark contrast of what you said in your interview on Timesnow.tv on 4 April when you were defending everything that you have written against in the article. Would you care to explain?
Shehzad Sir, My respects.
You seem to be seeing things clearly. Other day I saw you on Indian television defending Pakistan to best of your abilities, and I was wondering if you even understood what is at stake. Apparently you did understand, but you couldn't give up on defending your country's actions in a foreign television.
Fair enough.
Hope your countrymen see sense in moving away from path of utter ruin. India & Pakistan has more in common than difference, provided a good number of Pakistanis can stop viewing everything thru the prism of Religion peace and prosperity will not be far behind.
Close to being repetetive comment ,I would say rarely I see the author narrating a realistic view of pakistan's future with its predicaments and issues and this piece is fantastic ..IF more pakistanis realize this then they can roll up their sleeves and change course of this ship it is better.
@Falcon:
Unfortunately, we haven't heard or read anything positive, about Pakistan, for quite some time now....i know quite a few Pakistanis. mostly businessmen, personally and they too are not happy with the state of affairs in Pakistan and acknowledge that the state's foreign policy has been misguided...
The silver lining - there are still people, within Pakistan, who are fiercely voicing their opinions for the right cause....and i am sure there will be many more unknown faces who are working to bring about a change..
I'm sure Pakistan would come up the curve in some time..eventually the state will be forced ,by the citizens, to work for their welfare..
@Falcon:
I can count many, for instance,
Maulana Edhi for his selfless services; I wish he gets a Nobel Prize
Dr Abdus Samad, the first Muslim Nobel prize winner
Gulam Ali's Gazals
Air Marshal Asgar Khan, Najam Sethi, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Asma Jahangir
Hockey team of 1970s
Struggle of minorities in Pakistan
Let me add DT, ET and FT
I can go on and on.....
@KMR Overseas: " .... Now Hafiz Saeed must know he is on borrowed time!! ... "
I think there is a grave threat to Mr. Saeed's security. Whoever from the I.S.I was involved in the Mumbai incident may decide to bump him off - lest Mr. Saeed desides to "sing".
'Hoar Chupho' doesn't really mean 'it sucks'. . I would say it is closer to 'You asked for it'
How many Pakistanis will read this artcle and what fraction of those able to read, will be convinced that the fault lies within Pakistan, that their problems have not been caused by outsiders, that continued denial of the facts will ensure that their next generation will know that there once was a ountry called Pakistan.
I had often made issue with this writer, but this time, he is spot on. Pakistan doesn't half know what is in store for them down the road...
Well! when a nation fails to take its reigns in its own hands, someone has to step forward. It is only in Pakistani that a third rated cheap-shot can become a leader and claim legitimacy to his actions. The title is just fine as is the analysis. Be proud of your "maan boli" Chaudhary sahib.
i have said it again and again , these 40 chors are dafan council
Bounty on Hafeez Saeed is nothing but a blowback for use of non state actors as an instrument of policy. He was used as a tool to gain a better deal from US and it has back fired due to use of thinking out side the box by US. In the past this policy worked against India but back fired when used against NATO. I think in last 64 years a generation of Pakistani has grown up through a flawed education system where people are not taught to think critically, question the authorities or facts and think out side the box. Now it is showing up as a rot.
@ashok: Out of curiosity, have you ever heard or read anything positive about Pakistan?
A well thought of excellent article by Shahzad Chaudhry. Now Hafiz Saeed must know he is on borrowed time!!
Rubbish article. Maulana Hafiz Saeed, Gen Hamid Gul and Zaid Hamid our true national heros.
Mr Shahzad Chaudhry, a very direct, clear and honest analysis without any excuses and the proclivity to spread blame. Good job sir. For the first time, I find nothing to criticize in this piece.
There are many, in all parts of the state, who have contributed to Pakistan’s current fate
who is number one and still eating the biggest piece?
For the first time I strongly agree with a man in uniform from 'the land of the pure' albeit retired. Well said.
My heart dried out of tears, in a state of chaos n confusion, in a bid to seek some wayout, can just laugh out, helplessly. Leaders sitting on helm of affairs proving their insanity more n more killing nations Optimism gradually. Their insensitivity to our pain causing immence increase to our sufferings and they are busy in befooling us more n more. Dear writer, they (MY LEADERS) are all set to prove Pakistan a failed state, and i am afraid they have almost done it. Flary and poking bad decisions, price hike, inflation, coupled with the bad governance, political gimmiks of engaging masses and institutions in petty things are indeed intended to divert our approach so as to bring masses on streets, to become political martyers......alas. Please keep writing such eye opening notes , to put us all nation on a better footing to make better choice for at least our next generation.
All these Jehadis (Difae Pakistan is more like Dafa ho Pakistan) are making noises at the behest of ISI and army to force USA to cough up higher dollar in blood money disguised as tolls and custom duties for the supply-containers.
I heard some where that in Pakistan every one in Pakistan has turned out like a wounded vulture busy removing and eating flesh and bones of others according to the size of its beak.
Indeed, well said: Hoar Chupo!!
Brilliant piece. For the first time, I have seen you come down very hard on rightists as well as establishment style politics. I agree with your foresight as well that between bountys and slogans of Pakistan as a failed state, we are left with little political space and time to get back on our feet. Let's fix it before it is too late!